Greenfields was commissioned to deliver a commercial ground-source heat pump installation at Manchester Metropolitan University’s John Dalton Building, supporting the university’s commitment to improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions.
The project involved installing three commercial ground-source heat pumps connected to a borehole system, allowing the building to harness renewable ground-source heat to provide heating and cooling year-round.
Understanding the Requirements of a University Facility
Large buildings, such as university campuses, require carefully designed heating and cooling systems that operate efficiently at scale.
For this project, the objective was to provide a reliable, sustainable climate control system capable of maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures throughout the building while reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
Ground-source heat pump technology was selected as an ideal solution due to its high efficiency and ability to deliver both heating and cooling by leveraging stable underground temperatures.
System Installed
To meet the requirements of the building, the Greenfields team installed:
- Three commercial ground source heat pumps
- Multiple boreholes to extract heat from an underground aquifer
- Integrated mechanical plant system connecting the heat pumps to the building’s heating and cooling infrastructure
The borehole system harnesses the naturally stable ground temperature, allowing the heat pumps to deliver consistent performance throughout the year.
This setup enables the building to benefit from efficient renewable heating in winter and cooling in warmer periods, reducing reliance on conventional energy systems.
Designing Systems for Complex Commercial Buildings
Every commercial facility has unique operational requirements, which is why Greenfields approaches each project as a bespoke engineering solution.
Our engineers work closely with project teams, consultants, and facility managers to design systems that integrate with the building’s existing mechanical infrastructure while delivering long-term efficiency and reliability.
Because Greenfields works with a wide range of renewable technologies and manufacturers, we can select the most appropriate equipment and system design for each project, rather than relying on a single standard solution.
This design-led approach ensures that each installation is optimised for the specific demands of the building.
Why Ground Source Heat Pumps Work Well for Large Buildings
Ground-source heat pump systems are particularly well-suited to large commercial properties, such as universities, public institutions, and office buildings.
Key advantages include:
✔ Highly efficient heating and cooling for large facilities
✔ Stable performance using underground temperatures
✔ Significant reductions in carbon emissions
✔ Lower long-term energy consumption
✔ Long operational lifespan for large-scale infrastructure
Commercial Renewable Energy Expertise
Greenfields has extensive experience delivering renewable energy and mechanical installations for commercial clients, including universities, public buildings, industrial facilities, and large-scale developments.
Our team provides a full-service approach, from system design and installation through to commissioning and ongoing maintenance. This ensures reliable performance for complex commercial environments.
Considering Renewable Heating for a Commercial Property?
Greenfields designs and installs commercial heat pump systems, renewable heating technologies, and integrated mechanical solutions across the UK.
Learn more about our services:
Or contact our team to discuss your commercial renewable energy project.