Empowering Communities Together
How Great Hollands Library Cut Heating Costs
What they did.
When an ageing, shared boiler system hit a gas-supply limit, Great Holland's Library needed a smarter way to stay warm and keep the doors open without committing to a costly infrastructure upgrade.
The challenge: one boiler system, two busy buildings
Great Hollands Library and the neighbouring Community Centre were served by the same two gas boilers. However, with the site operating under a constrained gas supply, the boilers could only run at around 50% capacity, putting comfort, reliability and running costs under pressure.
An upgrade to the existing setup was priced at £44,000. That prompted a straightforward question: invest in bigger infrastructure, or reduce demand by taking one building off the shared gas system?
The choice: upgrade or redesign
Rather than pursue the £44,000 upgrade, the team chose a targeted redesign: disconnect the Library from the constrained gas system and provide a modern, efficient alternative.
The fix: efficient VRV units that heat and cool
The Library now uses three VRV (Variable Refrigerant Volume) air-
conditioning units that provide both heating and cooling. With programmable 24/7 controls, staff can match temperatures and operating hours to actual demanda0 avoiding waste while keeping indoor spaces comfortable.
Project cost: £18,474.75
What it delivers: lower bills from a lower up-front spend
· Before: the Library's share of annual gas costs was about £1,500.
· Now: annual electricity costs for heating are estimated at around £990.
In other words, the Library reduces running costs while avoiding the high capital outlay of a full boiler upgrade, a practical example of spending smarter to get better and greener outcomes.
What's next: exploring solar power for the Library
To push savings further, the council's Property team is investigating solar PV options. Generating more electricity on site could reduce the Library's reliance on the grid and help cut the carbon footprint of heating and cooling.
Explainer: What is VRV?
VRV stands for Variable Refrigerant Volume. It's an advanced HVAC approach that delivers zone-by-zone climate control. By circulating only the amount of refrigerant needed at any given moment, VRV systems can improve efficiency, reduce energy use, and cut carbon emissions compared with less flexible setups.
If you want to find out more about the Great Hollands Heating and Cooling System, please contact bfcca@outlook.com. We will be happy to help you get in touch with the Council’s climate change team.