Decarbonising School Heating: Boilers, Heat Pumps and Funding Challenges

Decarbonising School Heating: Boilers, Heat Pumps and Funding Challenges
Cindy Kings, Associate Project Manager, Mott Macdonald | Ian Keeling, MEP Specialist, Cundall

As schools transition towards low-carbon heating, hybrid boiler and heat pump systems are emerging as a practical solution that balances decarbonisation ambitions with operational resilience. This session draws on real-world experience from the design, procurement and delivery of education-sector projects, including the development of approaches that have informed the DfE's CF25 requirements. Attendees will gain insight into key technical considerations, contractor and supply-chain perspectives, and the funding constraints that continue to shape refurbishment programmes. The presentation concludes with practical recommendations for improving project outcomes and accelerating heat decarbonisation across the education estate.