University Hospital Southampton granted £29.4m for new heating system

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) was granted £29.4m to fund the upgrade.

Heating is currently provided via a centralised steam heat service. It works by steam running around the central core of the hospital, connected to gas and oil boilers.

Until five years ago Princess Anne Hospital was also connected to the same supply but now runs on its own boiler system.

Money granted by the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme will see a replacement of the current system, which is almost 20 years old.

Trust says the new system will help it take great strides towards its pledge to become Net Carbon Zero by 2045, by reducing CO2 emissions by 4,881 tonnes per year.

It's predicted that the overhaul will save the trust £2m a year.

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The new system will work by using air source heat pumps that absorb heat into fluid that passes through the pump, increasing the temperature before transferring the heat to water.

Low-temperature hot water solutions will also be expanded while the use of gas boilers will be reduced on the hospital site.

Paul Grundy, chief medical officer at UHS and chair of the Trust’s sustainability board, said: “We are delighted to be awarded this significant grant that will enable us to replace the outdated and inefficient heating system at Southampton General Hospital.

“The impact of climate change, air pollution, waste and environmental decline on health and the natural world is significant so we must all do what we can to make a difference.

“As the city’s largest employer our estate is a large contributor to greenhouse gases which is why it is essential we find alternative energy solutions.

“Replacing the current system will not only substantially reduce the carbon footprint of the building, saving an estimated 4881 tonnes of CO2 a year, it will also provide a more comfortable environment for our patients and staff.”