PHAM MAY21:Layout 1 29/04/2021 16:53 Page 1
MAY 2021 | VOLUME 59 | ISSUE 4
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Report highlights urgent need to refurbish school heating systems A new white paper produced by Baxi NāÖŶĢłė ĞÖŭ ĢùāłŶĢƩ āù the need to instigate a major programme aimed at improving the āƧ óĢāłóƘ ŋĕ āƗĢŭŶĢłė heating systems in the educational sector The ‘Refurbishment of School Heating Systems’ white paper highlights the need to reduce the costs – both to the environment and educational budgets – of running some of the ageing school heating systems. The report states that many heating and hot water systems have seen better days, with a high proportion (˟˞%) of school buildings built before ˚ˢˠ˟. The government has recognised
the issues with a ten-year school rebuilding programme. It has also included schools in the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to help them install energy efficiency and low carbon heating measures. But schools embarking on a heating refurbishment programme often face a range of challenges – from poor insulation to overheating – that make use of some alternative technologies very difficult.
Andy Green, technical director at Baxi Heating, who contributed to the report, comments: “We have numerous years of experience supporting project teams to achieve the best possible results in schools projects. For many schools, switching from ageing noncondensing boilers to low carbon technologies in one leap simply won’t be a technically or financially viable option at present. “However, it’s evident that if we are to achieve our emissions reduction target, we must take every possible action now. In schools like these, taking a phased approach to refurbishment will help bring the building up to code and set it on the path to net zero.” The white paper reveals that ˞ˠ% of England’s schools have faulty boilers or heaters that add an unnecessary financial burden for this sector. The Carbon Trust Whole School Approach to Energy Savings
Support for low carbon commitment
anticipated Heat and Buildings Strategy aligns with this new announcement in order to help us reach various other targets such as ˟˙˙̇˙˙˙ heat pump units in ˛˙˛ˡ,” says Mark Wilkins, director of technologies and training at Vaillant. “In the UK we know that ˜˚% of household emissions comes from central heating, so as a leading manufacturer of heating and hot water solutions, we need to take action now for a more sustainable future.” While backing the rollout of heat pumps in reducing the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, Daikin has highlighted the urgent need to address industry skill levels. Ian Bevan, the company’s commercial
manager, comments: “We must be ĿĢłùĕŽķ ŶĞÖŶ ŶĞāũā Ģŭ Ö ŭĢėłĢƩ óÖłŶ job still to do in supporting professionals within the sector to meet the demands of scaling up the installation of renewable heating systems. “For the heat pump market alone, we estimate around ˚ˠ̇˙˙˙ new installers are required to meet the expected demand within the next ten years, so providing high quality training opportunities is essential. A highly skilled workforce will be vital in supporting the government’s plans.” Baxi Heating points out that a lack of consumer acceptance is another potential barrier to
The UK government’s recent announcement that it will accept the recommendations of the Climate Change Committee and set a target of cutting carbon emissions by ˠˡ% (by ˛˙˜˞ compared to ˚ˢˢ˙ levels) has been broadly welcomed by industry stakeholders, but there are calls to back the pledge with a serious plan of action. “It is crucial that the government ensures the eagerly
report estimates that UK schools could save £˟˙m annually through improved energy management, including upgraded heating and hot water systems – often the main energy users in school buildings. Andy Green adds: “We mustn’t neglect the affordable and achievable opportunities to reduce energy costs and emissions. Replacing old heating plant with modern energy efficient condensing boiler technology, for example, can drive down energy consumption significantly – and will provide an immediate solution for schools that face inadequate heating and hot water provision.” The report aims to reduce operational costs through a focus on systems thinking, from design to installation, arguing that the early engagement of consultants, specifiers, contractors and manufacturers will help to overcome typical refurbishment challenges. ͻ phamnews.co.uk/˞˛˚̓˙˜
achieving the government’s ambitions. Jeff House, Baxi’s head of āƗŶāũłÖķ ÖƦ ÖĢũŭ̇ ŭÖƘŭ̆ ̦!ŋłŭŽĿāũ engagement should start now, to help increase understanding of the need for low carbon technology and the role it will inevitably play in meeting these goals. Change is inevitable, and we have to help people to understand that their heating systems and the way they use them will change – just as they will have to change the kind of car they drive. “The commitment demonstrated by the government to be a worldleader in reducing emissions now needs to be backed up by future policy and investment.”
Inside this issue 1łāũėƘ mÖŶŶāũŭ The predicted cost of hydrogen See page ˚ˢ
ũŋùŽóŶ pāƒŭ New heat pumps and more See page ˜˞
COMPETITION Win ˚˙ ùĢƦ āũāłŶ ŶÖťŭ ĕũŋĿ ũĢŭŶÖł̉ See page ˜ˠ