The NHS is one of the largest organisations in the world, employing 1.2 million full-time-equivalent staff and supporting one million patients every 36 hours.

This scale of healthcare provision is a huge task, which is reflected in the vast 24 million sq m of property in the UK that is under NHS management.

But, while these buildings continue to offer vital services to the public, they are ageing.

In fact, around 14% of NHS properties date from before the formation of the organisation in 1948, and 46% are over 33 years old.

As a result, buildings are often running with inefficient HVAC systems, and the NHS is currently responsible for 4% of the UK’s carbon emissions every year.

Hitting the targets

For the UK to hit its ambitious targets of net-zero carbon by 2050, decarbonising the NHS is vital.

And one way to do this is by using more-sustainable methods of heating, cooling, and ventilation.

Heat pump technology provides an excellent opportunity for many buildings in the NHS to switch to using electricity as the source for heating and hot water needs

Since starting to measure its carbon footprint back in 2008, the NHS has already successfully achieved a 62% reduction in emissions.

While this improvement is a massive step for decarbonisation, there is still a way to go if we are to reach net-zero.

The NHS is aware of this, and has developed two new targets to support further reductions.

The first is the NHS Carbon Footprint, which aims to reduce all emissions controlled directly by the NHS to net zero by 2040.

And the second is the NHS Carbon Plus Footprint, which aims to eradicate all emissions that the NHS can influence – i.e. in its supply chain – by 2045.

Achieving these goals would make the NHS the world’s-first net-zero national health service.

And, with the help of the right technology to reduce emissions, this can become a reality.

Though there is a plan to build net-zero hospitals in development, increasing the efficiency of existing buildings must also be a priority for the NHS.

Decarbonising heating and cooling

In recent years, decarbonising existing buildings within healthcare estates has achieved some quick wins, such as switching to LED lighting.

However, a range of other areas for decarbonisation have now been identified, and action must be taken to address them.

Though there is a plan to build net-zero hospitals in development, increasing the efficiency of existing buildings must also be a priority for the NHS

Building services are high on this list, and air conditioning, space heating, hot water, and ventilation are all prime targets that can be made more sustainable – with heating and hot water a great place to start.

Many of the older hospitals in the NHS estates were designed to run on steam boilers.

But, with the NHS phasing out coal, gas, and oil, a new low-carbon solution is needed to heat hospitals – for which high-temperature heat pumps are ideal.

The benefit of heat pumps

Heat pump technology provides an excellent opportunity for many buildings in the NHS to switch to using electricity as the source for heating and hot water needs.

One of heat pump technology’s main benefits, and a reason for the Government’s strong support of moving towards their increased use, is due to energy efficiency.

For every 1kW of electrical energy used, a heat pump can produce at least 3kW of heat energy – meaning hospitals need to use far less energy to achieve the same results.

While the UK’s electricity grid is becoming ‘cleaner’ every year, the Government still regards efficient use of the electricity supply as crucial for long-term success in achieving net-zero targets.

And, with heat pumps’ low-energy consumption, installation can ensure hospitals become more efficient and lean less on the electricity supply.

Emerging technologies

To date, heat pumps have been largely regarded as a highly-effective method for supplying low-temperature space heating.

However, in recent years, high-temperature heat pumps, such as Mitsubishi Electric’s QAHV model, have entered the market, offering a hot water supply up to 90°C.

While the UK’s electricity grid is becoming ‘cleaner’ every year, the Government still regards efficient use of the electricity supply as crucial for long-term success in achieving net-zero targets

Being able to generate water at a higher temperate is essential for the healthcare sector, as large amounts of it are required.

Heat pumps are well placed to supply these high temperatures, meaning they are now suitable for a wider range of applications within the NHS, where sanitary hot water is needed in areas with peak demands, such as hospitals or busy GP surgeries.

The scale of change required in NHS hospitals and other buildings across the healthcare estate is significant. However, by adopting low-carbon heat pumps and other renewable technologies wherever possible, there is a considerable opportunity to decarbonise heating and hot water, and reduce the energy needed for cooling.

The added benefit is that, with the option of Salix funding, public-sector buildings can access the grants needed to embrace these renewable heating technologies and feel the benefits of more-efficient systems and reduced costs – while patients experience the same high level of care expected from the NHS.