THREE West Fife primary schools are warming to the idea of greener energy with new air source heat pumps to be installed.

Plans have been approved to make the changes, which aim to cut the use of greenhouse gases in the existing boiler systems by at least 90 per cent, at Carnock, St Joseph's in Kelty and Limekilns.

Alternative Heat Ltd, based in Northern Ireland, will instal pumps that use heat from the air to provide heating and hot water for "multiple" Fife Council buildings, including schools.

A spokesperson for the local authority explained: "All projects are to be delivered as part of Fife Council's climate action plan in their commitment to decarbonise as rapidly as possible, following a climate emergency declaration on September 2019 and with a set target for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045."

Three air source heat pumps will be installed at the north of Carnock Primary School, close to the changing room and toilets extension, on a low level concrete plinth and enclosed in mesh protective cages.

Four will go at the north of St Joseph's, just outside the cleaner's store and kitchen, and five at Limekilns

As the school at Limekilns is a listed building, the heat pumps will be ground mounted and placed at the rear.

The council spokesperson explained: "The original design had the heat pumps wall mounted with some visible from the front elevation which we didn't feel was appropriate, the new layout offers the least visual impact and protects the historic facade of the building."

Air source heat pumps work by drawing in outside air.

The air is blown over a network of tubes filled with a fluid (refrigerant) which warms and turns from a liquid into a gas.

This gas goes through a compressor and passes through a heat exchanger, which raises the temperature and then transfers that heat to water.

The heated water is then circulated around the building to provide heating and hot water.