Commercial
South West
Overview
The groundwater source heat pump system at Bath Abbey is powered by Bath’s famous hot spring waters. As part of the Abbey’s Footprint project, a new distribution of underfloor heating pipework was laid in the Abbey and a plant room dedicated to the associated mechanical and electrical equipment was fitted by a team of contractors that included Emery, Wheelers and isoenergy.
isoenergy then installed the world’s-first heat collection system in the Roman Drain beneath York Street, Bath. The work down in the Roman Drain involved installing ten custom-built EnergyBlade heat exchangers that collect heat from the thermal spring water that flows through the drain from the Roman Baths and down into the river. Every day there is around 1.1 million litres of hot water flowing through the drain which stays a constant 40°C all year round. Heat is extracted from this water to produce enough energy to heat the historic Abbey as well as the adjacent row of Georgian cottages (Kingston Buildings) that house the Abbey offices, Song School and volunteer facilities.
The system was installed in 2020 and comprises of two Ecoforest heat pumps: ecoGEO HP 25-100kW.
Background
Bath Abbey is a Church of England parish church and a former Benedictine monastery in Bath, Somerset, England. Founded in the 7th century, it was reorganised in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 12th and 16th centuries; major restoration work was carried out by Sir George Gilbert Scott in the 1860s. It is one of the largest examples of Perpendicular Gothic architecture in the West Country. The abbey is a Grade I listed building, particularly noted for its fan vaulting. It contains war memorials for the local population and monuments to several notable people, in the form of wall and floor plaques and commemorative stained glass. The church has two organs and a peal of ten bells. The west front includes sculptures of angels climbing to heaven on two stone ladders, representing Jacob’s Ladder.
Bath Abbey’s Footprint project is a £19.3 million programme of work, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, that will provide new spaces for learning, music and interpretation, better visitor facilities, undertake essential conservation work, as well as opportunities for volunteer and community involvement. It will secure the Abbey’s physical future and improve its hospitality, worship and service to the city. More information can be found on the Bath Abbey website: www.bathabbey.org
