District heat pump solution solves college dilemma
UK – A district heat pump scheme at Ruskin College, part of the University of West London, has been delivered using Carrier’s high-temperature R290 technology, overcoming earlier assessments that it was financially unviable.
The scheme includes Ruskin Hall, a Grade II listed building, adding further complexity to the removal of outdated equipment and the installation of the new heat pumps.
Delivered by heat pump specialist Finn Geotherm in partnership with Carrier, the project replaces legacy heating systems with a centralised solution across a complex, multi-use estate. The site comprises three residential accommodation blocks, a large academic building and the listed Ruskin Hall, each presenting distinct load profiles and building fabric constraints.
The scheme was originally assessed by an external consultant and ruled out due to projected costs exceeding Salix funding thresholds. A full redesign by Finn Geotherm, based on a holistic assessment of system design and building performance, identified a viable route to delivery within budget.
The installed solution is based on four Carrier 61AQ 120 air-to-water heat pumps operating with R290 (propane) refrigerant. The system delivers both space heating and domestic hot water via a district-style network, with design flow temperatures of up to 70°C and peak capability of 75°C.
“The ability of the 61AQ units to deliver high flow temperatures while maintaining efficiency was key to the success of this project,” said Graham Smith, Carrier’s Applied Commercial Director. “By enabling domestic hot water and pasteurisation directly from the heat pump, the system avoids the need for supplementary electric heating, significantly improving overall performance.”
A key challenge was the variation in building types. While modern accommodation blocks allowed for targeted insulation upgrades, the listed Ruskin Hall imposed constraints on fabric improvements. Finn Geotherm addressed this issue through detailed room-by-room heat loss calculations and careful emitter sizing to ensure consistent performance across the estate.
The multi-unit configuration provides built-in resilience, maintaining operation during maintenance or downtime.
The project also included a full electrical infrastructure upgrade and installation of a new distribution network. Commissioning was completed within a compressed timeframe following late delivery of the incoming power supply, enabling compliance with Salix submission deadlines.
“By re-evaluating the project from first principles, we were able to deliver a solution that met both the technical and commercial requirements,” said Guy Ransom, Commercial Director at Finn Geotherm “It demonstrates the importance of a whole-system approach when applying heat pump technology to complex estates.”
The completed scheme, valued at approximately £1.7 million, was delivered at less than half the cost of the original proposal and now provides reliable heating and hot water across the entire site.
“This project has enabled us to move forward with our decarbonisation plans in a way that we didn’t initially think was possible,” Peter Mugford, Technical Services Advisor at Ruskin College / University of West London. “The system is delivering exactly what we need across a very diverse estate.”
For more information on Carrier’s industrial heat pump solutions, visit www.carrier.com/commercial/en/uk
