Newport Schools & Care Home

Decarbonisation Project Commercial ASHP

INTRODUCTION


TF Energy successfully delivered a comprehensive £580,000 heating system upgrade across five Newport County Council sites, funded through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund (PSDF). The project involved installing Mitsubishi Electric air source heat pumps (ASHPs) at four primary schools and one residential care home, replacing ageing gas boilers with modern renewable heating systems. Completed in May 2024 over a 16-week programme, the initiative achieved significant carbon and energy savings while maintaining operational continuity across all live, occupied sites.

Project Statistics & Achievements

5

Total Sites

4 primary schools and 1

residential care home across Newport

750kW

Installed Capacity

Commercial Mitsubishi Electric

ASHP systems

3.2

Average SCOP

Delivering over 3 units of heat

for every 1 unit of electricity

Environmental Impact

  • 350-400 tonnes CO¢e annual carbon savings
  • 1,200 MWh reduction in gas consumption
  • 7,000+ tonnes CO¢e lifetime carbon savings (20 years)

Community Benefits

  • Over 1,600 pupils across four schools
  • 33 care home residents plus staff
  • Modern, low-carbon heating systems
  • Reduced reliance on fossil fuels

Live Environment

Management

All sites remained operational during

installation, requiring additional marshals, strict health and safety

protocols, and careful scheduling to minimise disruption to teaching and care activities.

Multi-Site Coordination

Managing five separate locations under one programme required flexible scheduling and resource allocation,

complicated by limited on-the-ground

presence from the employer's project

manager.

Security Concerns

Two sites suffered

repeat thefts of materials, resulting in

delays and necessitating tighter security

arrangements to protect equipment and ensure project continuity.

Implementation & Outcomes

Technical Delivery

TF Energy provided a complete procurement and installation package including:


  • Mitsubishi Electric commercial ASHPs
  • Pumps, valves, pipework, and DHW heat
  • exchangers
  • Expansion vessels and secure enclosures
  • Acoustic barriers where required
  • Integration with retained secondary plant

Quality Assurance

The project was executed under CDM regulations with:

  • Full RAMS documentation
  • Dedicated site supervision
  • Comprehensive testing and commissioning
  • Witnessed performance checks
  • Staff training and detailed O&M manuals
  • Aftercare support aligned with Government
  • Soft Landings policy

NCC and Ameresco acknowledged TF Energy's professional delivery across varied sites. The client highlighted TF Energy's flexibility in scheduling works around school operations and care home routines, as well as strong safety management and clear communication with stakeholders.


This pilot scheme successfully delivered renewable heating upgrades across five Newport County Council sites, achieving significant carbon reductions while maintaining operational continuity.


Despite the challenges of working in live environments, TF Energy ensured safe, compliant, and efficient installations that support Newport County Council's decarbonisation targets. The project provides a scalable model for future rollouts, demonstrating real-world carbon savings across both

educational and care settings.