The UK’s journey towards net zero is accelerating, and few technologies are receiving as much attention as heat pumps in the drive to decarbonise commercial buildings.

Last month, Horizon Power Group‘s Technical Manager for Heating, Luke Prentice, attended the CIBSE Heat Pump Summit in Farringdon, joining industry experts, policymakers and manufacturers to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing low carbon heating across the UK.

The event provided valuable insight into the latest developments shaping the sector, with several key themes emerging that are likely to influence commercial heating projects in the years ahead.

One of the most discussed topics throughout the summit was the potential decoupling of gas and electricity pricing following recent government

announcements.

While any significant changes remain some way off, the industry consensus was clear: reducing the disparity between gas and electricity costs could substantially improve the financial case for heat pump adoption across the commercial sector. For many organisations, heat pumps already offer an effective route to reducing carbon emissions. However, future pricing reforms could strengthen the economic argument further, helping businesses accelerate their transition away from fossil fuel-based heating systems. As policy continues to evolve, organisations planning long-term estate strategies should keep a close eye on developments in this area.

While new-build developments can be designed around low carbon technologies from the outset, a significant challenge remains within the UK’s existing non- domestic building stock. A major focus of the summit was the practical reality of retrofitting older commercial properties to accommodate low carbon heating solutions.

This is an area where Horizon Power Group is actively supporting clients across multiple sectors. Retrofitting heat pumps into existing buildings requires careful planning and a thorough understanding of how the building currently performs. Every property presents different challenges, from ageing infrastructure and space constraints through to heating distribution systems that were never designed for low-temperature operation.

Successful projects require a holistic approach rather than a simple plant replacement exercise.

At Horizon Power Group, we believe that the most successful decarbonisation projects start by understanding how energy is used throughout the entire building. While heat pumps can play a significant role in reducing carbon emissions, the best outcomes are achieved when they form part of a wider energy strategy.

This often includes:

• Building fabric improvements to reduce heat loss
• Heat recovery opportunities from existing processes and systems
• Optimisation of heating distribution networks
• Reducing overall energy demand before introducing new technologies
• Smart controls and energy management systems

By addressing these factors alongside heat pump installation, organisations can often improve system performance, reduce capital expenditure requirements and achieve lower long-term operating costs.

The low carbon heating sector is evolving rapidly, with ongoing changes in policy, technology and best practice guidance. Events such as the CIBSE Heat Pump Summit provide valuable opportunities for technical professionals to engage with the latest thinking and ensure projects continue to reflect current industry standards.

For Horizon Power Group, maintaining this level of technical engagement is essential. By staying aligned with emerging guidance, policy developments and real-world project experience, we can continue to deliver practical, compliant and future-ready heating solutions that support our clients’ decarbonisation goals. As the transition to low carbon heating gathers pace, organisations that take a strategic, whole-building approach will be best placed to maximise both environmental and commercial benefits.