Historic England has published a research paper which examines ten small-scale case studies of historic properties installing air source heat pumps as their primary means of heating. Although none of the case studies look at industrial sites, most deal with 18th and 19th century buildings with a range of building construction types many of which are found on industrial sites. The case studies also include six listed buildings.

Electrifying heat is key to reducing reliance on fossil fuels for historic buildings. No technology is better placed for space heating than heat pumps. If the whole heating system is well designed, it will deliver comparable running costs to natural gas systems. Air source heat pump (ASHP) technology can be installed quickly and has lower capital costs than other heat pump technologies. This makes air source a key technology in the decarbonisation of space heating.

The key findings were:

• ASHPs work well in a range of different historic building types and uses.
  The type of ASHP and the heat emitters selected must complement the
  building and its occupancy.
• Building occupants need briefing on how to make best use of their
  ASHPs and reduce running costs. The user demonstration should
  include how to optimise the heating system and adjust setpoints and
  schedules.
• The visual and noise impact of ASHP external units and the cold
  air plume discharges were not an issue in any of the case studies.
  However, it is good practice to carefully consider the positioning of
  units to minimise impacts whether or not the building is historic.
• Four out of 10 of the case studies would have benefited from an
  alternative type of ASHP or heat emitters

Read the paper here