We recently partnered with Horfield Health Centre, a local GP surgery dedicated to reducing their environmental impact and cutting costs. Their green impact team was eager to find effective ways to boost sustainability and support the NHS’s Net Zero goal for 2040.  We helped them pinpoint major energy-saving opportunities, empowering them to make smart decarbonisation choices backed by data.

Here’s how we helped Horfield Health Centre achieve their sustainability goals:

The Challenge: Decarbonisation Guidance

Horfield Health Centre was committed to reducing its environmental impact and cutting costs, but they were unsure of the most effective way to achieve these goals. Their outdated gas boiler system, poor EPC rating, and high carbon emissions indicated a need for improvement. While they were interested in exploring new heating system options and reducing their EPC score, they were overwhelmed by the cost of potential solutions like heat pump installations.  Faced with these challenges, they recognised the need for expert guidance to develop a comprehensive decarbonisation plan that would address the root causes of their building’s energy inefficiencies and provide a clear path forward for long-term energy savings and a reduced carbon footprint. 

The Existing Issues

The Health Centre was experiencing numerous issues with:

The Solution: Commercial Energy Survey

Our commercial energy survey, combined with additional energy efficiency testing, provided a holistic view of the building’s energy use. This comprehensive approach allowed us to create a detailed report with specific recommendations.

Our analysis included:

The Results: Unveiling the Root Cause

Our surveys and testing revealed a critical insight: that poor insulation, not an inefficient heating system, was the main culprit for energy waste. Here’s a breakdown of the test results:

External thermal image from our survey of Horfield Health Centre
External thermal image from our survey of Horfield Health Centre

To summarise, the air test revealed significant air leakage, the thermal imaging survey revealed areas of insufficient insulation and air leakage, and the cavity wall inspection confirmed the lack of insulation in key areas.

Improvement Option Evaluation Modelling

Energy model of Horfield Health Centre
Our energy model of Horfield Health Centre

Our team identified improvement options categorised as either Tier 1 (simple measures) or Tier 2 (larger investments). These were split into building fabric improvements and building service improvements, to be undertaken after installing a new heating system. The suggested measures are estimated to achieve energy savings ranging from £100 to £48,000, depending on the measures implemented.

Tier 1:

Tier 2:

Chart showing recommended measures against existing building - the impact of group recommended measures.
Chart showing recommended measures against existing building

Final Outcomes: The Potential Impact for Horfield Health Centre

Building Energy Experts provided invaluable guidance on our journey to reduce our environmental impact. Their comprehensive survey quickly identified key areas where we were losing energy and helped us prioritise the most cost-effective solutions. With their support, we’re now able to make informed decisions about our energy upgrades and are well on our way to achieving our sustainability goals.

The Green Impact Team at Horfield Health Centre

The insights from our comprehensive energy survey and testing empowered Horfield Health Centre to:

By implementing our recommendations, Horfield Health Centre is projected to achieve a significant reduction in energy consumption, potentially increasing their EPC rating to A 20 and reducing carbon emissions to 7.92 CO2kg/m2.  This translates to substantial cost savings on annual energy bills and a dramatically smaller carbon footprint.

What’s Next?

Our commercial energy survey with additional tests provided Horfield Health Centre with the knowledge and insights they needed to confidently embark on a data-driven journey to a greener, more efficient future. By addressing the root causes of energy waste, the Health Centre is now able to significantly reduce its environmental impact, achieve its sustainability goals, and enjoy substantial cost savings.

This case study demonstrates the immense value of our comprehensive approach in laying the foundation for successful commercial decarbonisation and building retrofit projects. It highlights how our in-depth analysis and tailored recommendations can empower businesses to make informed decisions, optimise investments, and achieve long-term sustainability and cost-efficiency gains.

Are you ready to unlock your building’s full potential and embark on your own sustainable transformation? Let’s talk. We’re passionate about helping our customers build well, live comfortably, and save money. Contact us today to discuss your specific project requirements and discover how we can help you decarbonise your business and build a thriving, sustainable future.

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