Heat pumps can replace gas or oil boilers and help you lower your school’s carbon emissions. They are a proven technology and are already used in many schools across the UK.
You can watch our short video to see how heat pumps work and how other schools use them.
Why heat pumps are a good choice for schools
Heat pumps move heat instead of burning fuel. This makes them a low‑carbon way to heat buildings.
Key benefits
- Gas and oil boilers create most of a school’s carbon emissions. A heat pump can greatly reduce this.
- Heat pumps are very efficient compared with fossil fuel boilers.
- No combustion means fewer safety risks.
- A well‑designed system can lower energy bills without reducing comfort.
Types of heat pump you can use
Air source heat pumps
- Take heat from the air outside.
- Can heat air directly or heat water for radiators.
- Usually cheaper and quicker to install than ground source systems.
Ground source heat pumps
- Take heat from the ground.
- Cost more to install but are around 25 per cent more efficient.
- Work well where there is enough outdoor space.
Biomass systems
- Use wood chips or pellets.
- Not recommended at present due to fuel supply issues.
Running costs and carbon savings
These examples show how different systems compare. Actual costs will vary by building and use.
| Heating system | Annual running cost | Annual carbon emissions |
|---|---|---|
| New gas boiler | £2,770 | 9.00 tonnes CO2 |
| Air source heat pump | £3,750 | 2.90 tonnes CO2 |
| Air source heat pump with solar panels | £3,188 | 2.47 tonnes CO2 |
| Ground source heat pump | £2,812 | 2.17 tonnes CO2 |
| Ground source heat pump with solar panels | £2,250 | 1.74 tonnes CO2 |
If you are not ready yet
You can still take steps now to make a future heat pump work better.
What you can do
- Improve insulation so less heat is lost.
- When replacing radiators, choose larger ones that work well at lower temperatures.
- Keep reducing energy use across the school.
Get help to improve your school’s energy use
We can support you with:
- A full energy assessment of your school buildings.
- One‑to‑one advice.
- Information about possible funding.
Contact the ACES team to find out how we can help your school.