-
Client Áras Sláinte Nursing Home
-
Location Cork, Ireland
-
Architect Matt O'Mahoney and Associates
Designing an ambitious decarbonisation strategy for a nursing home reliant on fossil-fuel-based heating
About the project
As part of the national Pathfinder Programme, IN2 was appointed by HSE South to develop the decarbonisation strategy for Áras Sláinte to align the facility with Climate Action Plan 2030 and 2050 targets.
The building was originally designed around conventional high-temperature gas boilers operating at 80/70°C, reflecting a traditional fossil-fuel-based heating model. The proposed strategy replaces the existing gas-fired plant with high-temperature air source heat pump (ASHP) technology, enabling continued operation at similar temperatures to maximise compatibility with the existing distribution system and minimise disruption within the live healthcare environment. Existing boilers are to be retained for peak load and resilience.
In line with client objectives, the design adopts a reuse-first approach, retaining elements of the existing heating infrastructure where condition and performance allow, subject to detailed testing and verification at the next design stage. Where a reuse-first strategy is not a viable, a transition to lower temperature operation (e.g. 55/45°C) with associated system upgrades will be considered to improve efficiency and long-term performance. The system will be re-zoned and enhanced with modern controls to optimise operation.
A calibrated dynamic simulation model, validated against historic utility data, was developed to establish baseline performance and inform the decarbonisation pathway. The strategy combines targeted fabric upgrades (including walls, roof and glazing) with mechanical and electrical system improvements.
The electrical strategy supports the electrification of heat and integration of on-site renewables. This includes LED lighting upgrades, installation of roof-mounted photovoltaic panels and a building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) façade, and an increase in Maximum Import Capacity from 140 kVA to 290 kVA to accommodate the proposed systems. A new Building Management System (BMS) is proposed to enable monitoring, control and optimisation of building performance.
Stage 2A modelling indicates potential carbon emission reductions in excess of 80%, primary energy improvements beyond the Pathfinder 50% target, and an improvement in BER from D2 towards B1. These outcomes are subject to further development and validation at the subsequent design stage (Stage 2B), particularly in relation to final system configuration and fabric performance. Based on projected grid decarbonisation, the scheme demonstrates a potential pathway towards carbon neutrality before 2040.
Developed within the constraints of an operational healthcare facility with ageing infrastructure and limited service zones, the project demonstrates a structured, evidence-based approach to decarbonisation. Áras Sláinte forms part of the HSE Pathfinder portfolio, illustrating how coordinated fabric, services, and electrical infrastructure upgrades can deliver scalable carbon reduction across existing healthcare buildings.
