Delivering a commercial energy survey that identified poor insulation, not the heating system, as the true driver of a GP surgery’s energy waste.
Project Overview
- Client: Horfield Health Centre
- Sector: Healthcare / NHS
- Location: Horfield, Bristol
- Services Provided: Commercial Energy Survey, Air Tightness Testing, Thermal Imaging Survey, Cavity Wall Inspection, IOE Modelling
- Scale: 1,407 m² health centre, built in phases from the 1960s and 2000s
- Target: Support the NHS’s Net Zero 2040 goal; identify a cost-effective, prioritised decarbonisation route
The Challenge
Horfield Health Centre’s green impact team wanted to cut both their environmental impact and their running costs, in support of the NHS’s 2040 Net Zero goal – but weren’t sure where to start. An outdated gas boiler, a poor EPC rating (E, 106), and high carbon emissions all pointed to a building in need of improvement, and heat pump installation looked like the obvious next step. What they needed first was clarity: was the heating system really the problem, or was something more fundamental going on with the building itself?
The Solution
Commercial Energy Survey & Diagnostic Testing
We combined a full commercial energy survey with air tightness testing, thermal imaging, and a cavity wall inspection to build a genuinely evidenced picture of the building rather than assuming the heating system was to blame. The air test recorded a permeability equivalent to having several windows open throughout winter – dramatically above both new-build standards and what’s typical even for an older existing building. Thermal imaging confirmed inconsistent insulation and leakage at the eaves, roofline, windows and doors, while the cavity wall inspection told a more nuanced story: the original 1960s section was completely uninsulated, and the 2000s extension had some mineral wool insulation, but not nearly enough to make a meaningful difference.
The modelling delivered the case study’s central insight: installing an air source heat pump on the building as it stood would actually have increased running costs by around £6,000 a year, because the fabric was too poor for the heat pump to run efficiently. Fixing the fabric first wasn’t just the more thorough approach – it was the only way the heating upgrade would ever pay off.
The Outcome
The evidence let Horfield Health Centre sequence their investment properly: insulation and airtightness measures first, heating system upgrade second. Modelled together – cavity and loft insulation, air permeability improvements, LED lighting and controls, and finally an air source heat pump – the combined package takes the building from its current E (106) rating to an A (20), cutting carbon emissions from 42.44 to 7.92 kg CO₂/m². Interestingly, the modelling also showed that the fabric and lighting measures alone (without the heat pump) delivered the single largest cash saving of any package modelled – meaning Horfield Health Centre can choose to prioritise cost savings, carbon reduction, or both, with the evidence to back either decision.
Client Testimonial
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.
— Paul Wilson, Facilities Coordinator at at Horfield Health Centre
