Decarbonising Water Heating at Warwickshire Fire & Rescue HQ

Introduction

Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service Headquarters in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, undertook a project to modernise and decarbonise its domestic hot water system. The existing installation was ageing, inefficient and relied heavily on immersion heaters for top-up heating. With sustainability a key objective for Warwickshire Council, the project centred on replacing the old system with a low‑carbon, energy‑efficient solution that would reduce on‑site emissions and improve long‑term operational performance.

Project Objectives

The primary aim of the project was to remove the outdated indirect single‑coil cylinder, which had become increasingly inefficient and costly to run due to its dependence on immersion heaters. Warwickshire Council sought a modern, sustainable water‑heating system that aligned with their environmental commitments and reduced carbon footprint. The project was specified by Warwickshire Council and delivered by the Dodd Group, who were tasked with installing the replacement solution.

The Solution

To meet the project’s goals, the Lochinvar Amicus AquaStore internal heat pump water heater was selected. This technology provides highly efficient hot water generation by harnessing the heat already present within the plant room environment, resulting in a system that delivers zero on‑site emissions. The Amicus AquaStore’s integrated heat pump design significantly improves efficiency compared to traditional cylinder-and-immersion setups, dramatically reducing electrical consumption and operating costs.
Warwickshire Fire & Rescue HQ now benefits from a dependable, low‑carbon hot water system that supports the council’s decarbonisation strategy. Feedback from the client highlights satisfaction with both the improved performance and the environmental impact of the new installation. The installers also noted the simplicity of the installation having worked with the units before, they were familiar with the plug and play design removing the need for costly electrical upgrades.