23 Jun 2022

The thermal spring-powered underfloor heating at Bath Abbey Footprint Project has been highly commended in the Renewable Energy Project of the Year category in the Business Green Leaders Awards 2022.
The awards celebrate the best of the UK's green economy and burgeoning net-zero transition. This particular category recognises projects that have demonstrated a wide range of environmental and economic benefits associated with clean energy deployment and development.
The revolutionary underfloor heating system harnesses energy from Bath’s hot springs, as the water flows to the river Avon through the Great Drain which runs alongside the Abbey. The heat source is free and available and has been in operation for over a year, providing clean energy and saving the Abbey money heating the building.
Alex Morris, Asssociate said "Thanks to the inspired vision and commitment of Bath Abbey to creating an Abbey fit for the future, we were able to seek a way to operate more sustainably, whilst protecting their internationally significant buildings. Technical innovation from Buro Happold,  and Mann Williams  helped fulfill the vision for a low carbon heating system."
The £10 million Footprint Project provided a programme of repair and restoration including 2,400 floor stones, conserved and re-laid, and a series of new spaces that allow the Abbey to cater to its parishioners and the City of Bath for the future. Read more about the heating in  ‘Just add water…!’