The Royal Air Force Museum

Two-Stage (Air and Water Source) Heat Pump System and Plantroom strip-out
1,550kW

Two-Stage (Air & Water Source) Heat Pump Systems

PSD Funding

Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme

Location:

London

Project Value:

£1,850,000

Sector:

Commercial

Project Status:

Complete


Scope

Two-Stage (Air and Water Source) Heat Pump Systems, Plantroom strip-out, AHU/Ventilation and M&E works for the RAF Museum


Project Overview

As part of its long-term sustainability strategy, the Royal Air Force (RAF) Museum’s Trustees approved a new ten-year Strategic Development Plan, which includes a commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030. To support this, the Museum appointed Alternative Heat as Principal Contractor to undertake a major central heating infrastructure upgrade project within the West Wing Colonnade Building.

Supported by funding secured through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), administered by Salix, the project involved the design and delivery of a new low-carbon energy centre, replacing ageing fossil fuel heating infrastructure with a renewable heating solution.

Alternative Heat designed and installed a two-stage heat pump solution comprising Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) and Water Source Heat Pumps (WSHPs), providing a combined heating capacity of 1,550kW. The new system was designed to significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels while improving the efficiency and resilience of the site’s heating infrastructure.

The project involved the complete strip-out and replacement of the existing plantroom and associated services, alongside substantial building refurbishment works to accommodate the new low-carbon plant.

Delivered within a live visitor environment, the project required careful planning and close collaboration with the Museum team to ensure minimal disruption to daily operations. Phased works and coordinated handovers ensured key areas remained operational throughout construction.

Scope of Works

Key project elements included:

  • Design and installation of a new 1,550kW two-stage heat pump system incorporating ASHP and WSHP technology.
  • Installation of acoustic enclosures
  • Full strip-out, refurbishment and modification of the existing plantroom structure, including repairs to external walls, construction of new internal walls, installation of louvred access doors and a new roof.
  • Complete mechanical fit-out of the new energy centre and associated plantroom infrastructure.
  • Upgrades to the site’s electrical infrastructure to support the increased electrical demand of the new heating system.
  • Installation of a new Building Management System (BMS) to provide enhanced monitoring, control and optimisation of energy performance.
  • Construction of new external heating distribution trench routes and associated buried services.
  • Installation of a new Air Handling Unit (AHU) and associated ductwork to improve ventilation and environmental control within the facility.
  • Full testing, commissioning and integration of all mechanical, electrical and control systems.

The completed scheme provides the RAF Museum with a modern, sustainable heating solution that supports its decarbonisation ambitions while safeguarding the operational requirements of one of the UK’s most significant aviation heritage destinations.

This project demonstrates how heritage institutions can successfully adopt low-carbon technologies while safeguarding buildings and collections of national significance.