The UK’s binding 2050 net zero commitment requires all private and public sector buildings, including care homes, to take action to reduce their carbon emissions. With heating and hot water typically one of the largest energy uses in these facilities, it’s a good starting point for improvement, says Baxi’s Head of Technical Solutions Andy Green.
While new build care homes will be designed and built for net zero operation, refurbishing the UK’s existing care home building stock is acknowledged to be real challenge. Identifying the best approach to improve the efficiency of these buildings and decarbonise heat can feel daunting, as our recent survey of over 400 care homes managers revealed. Let’s consider here four practical steps to help care homes set their older buildings on their net zero journey.
Step one – reduce heat losses
Understanding how and where energy is being used in your building should be the first step.
Identifying and addressing heat loss will not only improve running costs by reducing waste but can significantly reduce the size or capacity of plant required when refurbishing the system – which in turn will lower capital expenditure.
Implementing fabric upgrades such as roof and wall insulation and/or draught proofing and improving the thermal performance of windows and doors can help. Adding lagging to poorly insulated pipework can also improve system efficiency as will optimising control settings.
Step two – put a net zero roadmap in place
Unplanned replacements are common, according to our research, frequently resulting in a like-for-like distress purchase rather than enabling care home operators to plan and implement a phased approach to decarbonisation. Working with heat experts like Baxi to put a roadmap in place will help care homes to budget for the various stages, avoid emergency situations, and keep on track for net zero.
Step three – get the system heat pump ready
Light refurbishment still accounts for much of the work in the care home sectors according to our research report, despite the willingness shown for embarking on heat decarbonisation projects.
A practical step when upgrading to more boilers or water heaters, is to use the opportunity to get system ready for heat pump integration. Address the system’s distribution pipework and heat emitters to allow the system to operate more efficiently at a maximum flow temperature of 55°C (or lower), in line with Building Regulations. This will also allow the condensing boilers and water heaters to operate optimally in condensing mode, for maximum efficiency.
Step four – all electric or hybrid heat pump
Ultimately, replacing existing gas boilers or water heaters with heat pumps is the goal. In new build care homes, a fully electric approach to heating and domestic hot water (DHW) based around renewable solutions such as our Auriga mid temperature and Auriga HP + high temperature heat pumps will be the favoured approach, particularly when combined with solar thermal and/or solar PV solutions.
When considering implementing heat pumps into older facilities, affordability, available budget and time, space and electrical capacity as well as running costs should all be considered at the outset. Moving directly to an all-electric heating system may not be deemed feasible in care homes with complex refurbishment challenges. In such buildings, a hybrid heat pump system combining heat pumps with existing boilers and/or water heaters is often a fast, affordable solution to partial decarbonisation. This will enable a large portion of the heat in the building to be decarbonised while meeting safe operation requirements.
Talk to the experts
Each project and building will have its own requirements, so it is advisable to consult with the experts. Experienced heating and hot water solutions providers like Baxi can help break down the complexities for care homes, explaining the options and the associated carbon, energy and cost impacts of each. Working together, we can help ensure that the right decision is made to meet the specific needs of your building.
Andy Green, Head of Technical Solutions, Baxi