PSDS4: Supporting Schools in the Transition to Low-Carbon Heating

Our team is supporting four schools across Lancashire and Cumbria and project managing the delivery of heating decarbonisation projects funded through Phase 4 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS4). PSDS is a Government initiative designed to help public sector organisations including schools reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and transition towards lower-carbon heating solutions.

These projects involve replacing ageing and inefficient oil-fired heating systems with new high efficiency renewable air-to-air heating system. Additional energy efficiency measures are also included within the project include the installation of new insulation and draught proofing works, helping to improve the overall performance of the school buildings and reduce energy demand.

As part of our role, we have also secured planning permission for the new heat pump enclosures, including Listed Building Consent for one of the schools, which is a Grade II listed building.

Moving away from oil-fired boilers to heat pump technology represents an important step in reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Alongside the environmental benefits, the projects provide an opportunity to improve the efficiency and resilience of the schools’ heating systems, while reducing their exposure to volatile oil prices, which have come under increased pressure over the past six months.

We are pleased to be supporting these four schools through the PSDS4 programme and to be playing our part in delivering practical, lower-carbon improvements across the education sector.

The PSDS4 projects are now well underway on site and are due for completion in late Autumn 2026.