When it comes to modern, low carbon commercial heating system design, collaboration is the name of the game according to Richard Brown, Head of Specification at Ideal Heating Commercial
In its Seventh Carbon Budget, published in February 2025, the Climate Change Committee identifies the replacement of gas boilers with heat pumps in homes and businesses as essential if we are to meet net zero in 2050. The transition away from fossil fuels to low carbon heating systems, predominantly in the form of heat pumps powered by electricity, represents a significant period of adjustment for the heating industry and those working in the built environment, especially consulting and design engineers.
Whilst change can be good – and very much necessary in this scenario – it can also create uncertainty and apprehension as we are faced with learning new technologies and adapting our skill sets. For installers of commercial heating systems, this will require product training on heat pumps and associated equipment. For system designers, the challenge is even greater as a like for like replacement of a gas boiler for a heat pump isn’t easy as they are a completely different technology. Both the heating system in its entirety and the building it is serving have to be surveyed through a different lens.
Collaboration is key
To simplify this transition, making the learning curve easier whilst still producing an effective low carbon heating system, collaboration between manufacturers and design engineers can be mutually beneficial. Both Product Managers and Specification Managers within manufacturing companies have invaluable practical knowledge covering the full range of commercial heating solutions and are able to apply that to assist engineers with finding the best heating solution for their project, wherever it may be in the UK.
Why collaboration is more important than ever
It’s fair to say that a wealth of experience and knowledge has been built up by engineers and contractors over the years whilst we have been designing systems using more traditional heating appliances. However, with the push towards net zero and the recent changes to Building Regulations Part L which require improved energy efficiency and lower network temperatures, this has all changed.
The manufacturer clearly has an important role in the net zero journey; low carbon products, such as heat pumps, must be available, yet knowledge and experience of these within the industry is limited. The only effective way we’re going to meet our net zero obligation and decarbonise heating is for the industry as a whole to start talking more and share our knowledge and experiences.
One of the key transformations brought about by decarbonisation is that the very plant room itself is changing as we move from appliances within to positioning them outside. This brings a new set of challenges, such as where to locate heat pump units where they can perform most effectively, yet remain discreet and be easily accessible for maintenance at the same time. Being installed externally also means noise has become a consideration
Having said this, whilst we are transitioning away from gas to electricity, gas boilers will remain for many years to come, such as in a hybrid system. A hybrid system essentially has heat pumps working alongside boilers providing a ‘top up’ during times when there is high demand or external temperatures are particularly low.
This hybrid approach is receiving a lot of interest from customers as it helps them cost-effectively bridge the gap between reliance on boilers and low carbon heat pumps. Whilst the manufacturer must ensure its products are compatible and can work efficiently in a hybrid system set up, such systems do present a number of challenges that design engineers may not have faced previously. Collaboration, to ensure all parts of the system work in harmony, really is essential here.
Our latest CIBSE-approved CPD, ‘Surveying the modern plant room – from boilers to heat pumps,’ covers these aspects and provides advice on the various stages involved in surveying a plant room, as well as modern, energy-efficient plant room retrofits using heat pumps.
Early engagement
As we have seen, new technology brings new challenges, so early collaboration between the specification manager and design engineer is imperative. Our specification managers are finding themselves heavily involved with projects far earlier than we ever used to, which is important and beneficial. Heat pumps are a very different technology to traditional appliances. These systems can be complex, and the design time consuming; there’s no one size fits all solution. With many years of heating system design experience, a manufacturer can bring a wealth of knowledge to the design process.
Collaboration in action
As part of its plan to become a carbon neutral council by 2030, Denbighshire County Council identified Ysgol Tir Morfa Community School in Rhyl, North Wales as a property that could easily transition to heat pumps. Ideal Heating Commercial was involved at an early stage of this project to support both the Council’s Property Section Energy Team in its move to our ECOMOD monobloc air source heat pumps and its contractor, GGS Heating.
We visited the site and provided guidance on system design for maximum efficiency of the heat pumps, which are partly being powered by solar PV. We also provided GGS Heating with training to enable them to successfully install heat pumps, thus upskilling the local supply chain. The low carbon heating system in operation at Ysgol Tir Morfa is fully operational and has moved the council further forward in their journey to become carbon neutral.
The more we share, the more we benefit
The sharing of knowledge has never been more important than now, and engineers who collaborate with manufacturers at an early stage of their project have a head start, and are more likely to benefit from a smooth running project. The more we share, the faster we can move forward.