In March 2024 work will begin on the University’s first large scale heat pump retrofit which will see the existing 15-30 year old gas boilers in Sportspark replaced with two air source heat pumps. Last year the University was successfully awarded a grant of £865,000 for the project from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, which is delivered by Salix Finance. Two gas supplies will be removed as part of this project, which will be the first time this has happened in the University’s decarbonisation journey.
Planning permission for the project was granted in November 2023 and the first stage of the project will be to construct the sound protected compound to house the new air source heat pumps next to the Sports Park pavilion. This compound is designed so any noise generated is as low as possible, to minimise any environmental impact on neighbouring houses. Pipework will then be laid to connect the new system to the Sportspark main building. There will be minor disruption within the building itself when the heat emitters are replaced.
The project is very timely as one of the current gas boilers has now failed, with a temporary gas boiler being used to ensure heating continues to be supplied in the immediate term. Converting Sportspark to electric heat pumps means that the building will become one of the lowest carbon building on campus, with an estimated 110 tonnes of carbon being saved per year.
