Pupils at a Milton Keynes Primary school are enjoying the benefits of renewable energy, in particular a heat pump system supplied by Danfoss Heat Pumps UK.
The new Priory Rise school has its heating and hot water needs provided by a ground source heat pump, to help the building meet its BREEAM targets, where 10% of its energy requirements should be provided by renewable sources.

Danfoss Heat Pumps UK, based in Sheffield, designed and installed the heat pump system for the school. The new system involved 10 x 100m deep boreholes which were drilled in the school grounds. The area has ‘hidden heating’ to reduce the school’s heating bills and minimise its impact on the environment. The heat pump will support an underfloor heating system, to provide affordable heating throughout the year.

Milton Keynes council said it had reviewed other renewable energy systems, such as photovoltaics and wind turbines before deciding to use heatpumps.

Kath Cook, capital development officer for Milton Keynes council, said: “We carefully researched which type of renewable system would work best for the school and heat pumps came out top. Sustainability and environmental stewardship is an important part of our ethos and the heat pump will deliver more affordable heating, whilst reducing the carbon footprint for the school.”

The Danfoss heat pump system is designed to achieve Coefficiency of Performance (COP) of 4:1, this means for every unit of electricity used, the heat pump will delivery four times that in energy output, bringing the new building within the carbon emission regulations.

The heat pumps are part of a complete range of environmental measures at the school, which includes a biodiverse roof, energy efficient cavity wall and roof insulation.

Phil Moore, managing director of Danfoss heat pumps UK, said: “Many schools are recognising the benefits of choosing heat pumps, both from a sustainability and economic point of view. The local authority had very specific requirements for their heating and energy needs as part of creating a building that promoted sustainability and good environmental practice'.