Vital Energi is working with York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to reduce the carbon footprint of York Teaching Hospital through the implementation of low-carbon energy solutions, helping the trust work towards its goal of net zero by 2040.
As well as installing two 200kW air source heat pumps, which will allow for zero-carbon onsite energy generation, Vital Energi is helping the hospital become more energy efficient through upgrades to the building fabric of the three-storey Ward Block Building.
The existing fabric of the building, which was constructed in the 1970s, has poor thermal insulation properties and experiences significant heat loss through both the building fabric and glazing units, which results in higher energy consumption.
The building fabric upgrades have recently been implemented on the west elevation of the building, which has the greatest single external surface of the estate, totalling 2,520sq m.
The solution will reduce heat loss from the building, resulting in reduced heating bills and lower carbon emissions, as well as significantly improving the external aesthetics of the building, and patients and staff will benefit from increased natural light and improved ventilation.
The upgrades to the external façade and the windows of the ward block are almost complete, and not only has the energy efficiency of the building increased significantly, the upgrades have created a strong visual impact
Vital Energi’s account director, Steve Black, said: “This is our second project at York Teaching Hospital and we’re proud to be helping the trust make further strides towards its net zero emissions target through the installation of a range of energy solutions.
“The upgrades to the external façade and the windows of the ward block are almost complete, and not only has the energy efficiency of the building increased significantly, the upgrades have created a strong visual impact.”
Jane Money, head of sustainability at the trust, added: “I am delighted to see the new insulation and new windows to the ward block, which will make this area more comfortable for patients, staff, and other users, and will save 575 tonnes of carbon each year and contribute to the NHS target of an 80% carbon reduction by 2030.”
The project received grant funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), which is administered by Salix Finance on behalf of the Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), formally part of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, to replace old gas-powered heating and hot water systems with low-carbon systems while reducing the heat requirement through energy efficiency measures such as increased insulation.
DESNZ, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Vital Energi are delivering the project through the Carbon and Energy Fund Framework, which has been specifically created to fund complex energy infrastructure upgrades for public sector organisations.
This is second project Vital Energi will implement at York Teaching Hospital.
Back in 2016, the company designed and retrofitted the hospital’s existing energy centre and installed a range of energy conservation measures, guaranteeing the Trust savings in excess of £12m in energy costs and over 45,000 tonnes of carbon over the course of the 15-year contract.
Work is already well underway on site and is expected to be complete by the autumn.