scope of work

we were appointed as full-service consultants for the decarbonisation of Mile Lane Health Centre. the initial brief from the client was to review viable decarbonisation options for the existing building, focusing on a multi-strategy approach that aligned with the “lean, clean, green" principles. the client particularly wanted a “fabric first" solution, meaning improvements to the building’s structure to maximise energy efficiency and reduce overall energy demand.

to carry out this comparison, the building was thermally modelled using IES software. this modelling took into account the building’s existing construction and the current mechanical and electrical systems. the results provided a clear baseline of the building’s energy performance, against which we could compare various decarbonisation options. the main goal was to improve energy efficiency and reduce the building’s carbon footprint, with a view to enhancing the building’s energy performance certificate (EPC) rating.

challenges faced

Mile Lane Health Centre was well-maintained but, due to its age, the original construction did not meet modern efficiency standards. the building was equipped with gas-fired heating and hot water systems, which were no longer suitable for the client’s sustainability objectives. however, a significant advantage was the existing electrical supply, which allowed us to install heat pumps without requiring an electrical infrastructure upgrade.

the primary challenge was working within a live health centre. disruption had to be minimised to ensure the centre’s day-to-day operations and patient care were not affected. we worked closely with the health centre staff to schedule works during ‘out of hours’, ensuring that the medical services could continue without interruption.

another significant challenge was the transition from a traditional radiator-based heating system to a modern air-conditioning system that provided both heating and cooling. this was a major change for the end users, and required careful management to ensure the new system could be integrated smoothly into the building’s operations.

outcome

the project at Mile Lane Health Centre was a significant success. the building’s EPC rating improved dramatically, achieving an "A" rating—a substantial leap from its previous score. additionally, the building’s carbon emissions were reduced by over 90%, meeting and exceeding the client’s decarbonisation targets.

this project highlighted the importance of working closely with the client and end users, especially when a significant system change is involved. the ability to work around the health centre’s operations while implementing modern, sustainable energy solutions made the Mile Lane Health Centre decarbonisation a unique and successful project.