Heriot-Watt students at the Edinburgh campus’ Lord Home Hall residence are set to benefit from sustainability upgrades that will see an air source heat pump installed to offer zero direct emission heating.

The 1990s residence hall provides 190 single rooms and 10 studio rooms, representing 10% of accommodation available for students.

The project is estimated at £1.28 million with the university awarded £1.02 million in grant funding through Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund. Salix Finance is delivering the funding for this scheme on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Launched in July 2023, Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund made grant funding available from Scottish Government for projects to decarbonise heating systems by replacing them with zero direct emissions systems.

Accompanying energy efficiency measures include roof insulation, pipework insulation, shower flow restrictors, building management system upgrades, smart heating controls, and a solar PV installation.

The university has been focusing efforts, in part, on demonstrating a successful transition by upgrading its estate. Recently, the University published its Climate Action Framework outlining the aim to reach net zero emissions by 2035. Upgrades have largely focused on reducing carbon emissions associated with energy and heating. To progress this target, Heriot-Watt has focussed the pilot project for Lord Home Hall on its Edinburgh campus.

Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer, Deputy Principal for Global Sustainability, said: “The Lord Home Hall pilot heat decarbonisation project is an important step in fulfilling our commitments to sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“The pilot project is aligned with our Climate Action Framework and reiterates our purpose-driven commitment to becoming net zero.

“This initiative also illustrates the university’s emphasis on collaboration and partnerships in delivering our sustainability ambitions, and we are thankful for the support from the Scottish Government and very pleased to work with Salix.”

Given the similar construction and age to other buildings and halls of residences across the university, staff plan to use lessons learned, challenges and opportunities across the works to inform campus heat decarbonisation master planning and potential model replication.

Lynda Johnstone, Global Director of Estates and Facilities, said: “The pilot heat decarbonisation project at Lord Home Hall represents a significant step towards enhancing our sustainability efforts at Heriot-Watt University.

“This initiative will foster community engagement and further strengthen our research and education in green heat technologies.

“With the potential for this model to be replicated across our campus buildings, we are setting a path towards a more sustainable future, crucial for achieving our net zero goals.”

In addition to the reducing carbon emissions, once complete, the university anticipates the project will reduce its annual energy bills by £17,120 with an anticipated annual reduction of approximately 155-160 tCO2e, which will improve as our electricity grid continues to decarbonise. This aligns perfectly with our long-term vision for transitioning from fossil fuel heating systems.

“The support from Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund will allow the University to transform Lord Home Hall’s outdated fossil fuel infrastructure into a cutting-edge heat pump installation.”

If achieved, a carbon reduction of the level anticipated would displace an estimated three per cent of the university’s total natural gas use at its Edinburgh campus, making a significant contribution to its carbon reduction targets.

The grant-funded works also build upon previous energy efficiency projects completed through the Scotland Recycling Fund. Energy efficiency upgrades support a building to reduce its overall energy demand when performing the same task and achieving the same result.

Chris Cain, our programme coordinator who is working with the university, said: “It’s been a pleasure to work with the passionate people at Heriot-Watt University from project development and now as the project progresses towards completion.

“By next winter, residents at Lord Home Hall can expect a warmer, more comfortable living environment that has a significantly reduced impact on the planet.”

As a global university, Heriot-Watt is committed to transforming all facets of operations—from infrastructure to educational practices—to reflect its core values and ethos in addressing the climate crisis through sustainability initiatives.

Learn how we are shaping the future of sustainability.