When the NHS Caversham Group in Kentish Town, London, started experiencing repeated problems with their heating and hot water, it quickly became a serious issue.

To make matters worse, previous attempts to fix the issues had only scratched the surface. Contractors focused on specific problem areas but didn’t look at the bigger picture, leaving the NHS Caversham Group with the same persistent problems. At BASSE Solutions, we stepped in to deliver a reliable situation in just four days.

The surgery faced two main challenges – the hot water system kept failing and the heating system was performing so poorly that it was barely functional. The situation wasn’t just inconvenient, it was impacting the comfort and efficiency of a busy surgery trying to provide the best care to patients.

After repeated unsuccessful attempts by others to resolve the problem, the NHS Caversham Group sought help from BASSE based on a recommendation.

At BASSE, we don’t believe in mindless quick fixes or temporary solutions. When we arrived on-site, we took a step back and looked at the entire system. It was clear that focusing on individual components, as others had done, wouldn’t solve the underlying problems. Instead, here’s what we did.

We carried out a full assessment of the system. What we found were multiple issues, including failed pumps, stuck valves, a pressure vessel that wasn’t holding pressure and some poorly installed pipework.

During the investigation, we repaired as much as we could to get the system running temporarily while we worked on a more permanent solution.

We created a detailed report highlighting what needed to be done to fix the system. Our recommendations included replacing pumps and valves, upgrading pipework and installing a larger pressurisation system to handle the building’s needs.

Once the recommendations were approved, we got to work. Over two days, we replaced the failed pumps with more efficient models, upgraded the valves, fixed the pipework and installed a new, larger pressurisation system.

After everything was tested, the surgery was back to running smoothly.

The difference was felt immediately. Staff at the surgery told us how much better the heating and hot water systems were performing – a huge relief for everyone working there and visiting the practice.

While this project wasn’t about cutting costs, we also provided additional recommendations to further improve efficiency, such as installing controls and lagging pipes. Once implemented, these upgrades could reduce energy costs by up to 30%. 

Unlike previous contractors, we addressed the root causes. Our whole-system approach meant we could see where things were breaking down and why. This allowed us to implement fixes that wouldn’t just work today, but would stand the test of time.

At BASSE, we understand that building services are the backbone of your operations. That’s why we focus on long-term solutions that address the real issues, not just the obvious ones.

If your facility is facing challenges like these, we’d love to help. Call our team today on 03335 677560 or email us via contact@basse.co.uk to learn more.