St Chad’s College Heating Upgrade – Preserving Heritage Whilst Delivering Comfort

St Chad’s College Heating Upgrade – Preserving Heritage Whilst Delivering Comfort

Durham University | Method Building Consultancy | Heritage Building Services

A Heritage Heating Challenge in the Heart of Durham
When St Chad’s College, part of Durham University’s historic North Bailey, needed to replace its ageing heating system, the stakes were high. The Grade II listed buildings were charming but thermally inefficient, the existing boilers were failing, and heritage restrictions ruled out many modern solutions.

Breakdowns had already disrupted events and risked leaving over 100 students without heating or hot water in winter. The college turned to Method Building Consultancy for a solution that would combine heritage building expertise, mechanical engineering know-how, and long-term reliability.

“Student expectations have changed, but what attracts them here is the charm of our older buildings. They want character – but also warmth and hot water.”
– Alistair Jenkins, Bursar, St Chad’s College

Balancing Sustainability with Practicality
Working with M&E engineers NEECO, Method Building Consultancy explored every viable heating technology:
– Biomass
– Air and ground source heat pumps
– Photovoltaics
– Combined heat and power (CHP)
– Direct electric heating
– High-efficiency gas boilers

The verdict:
– Heat pumps couldn’t meet the 82°C flow temperature needed for the existing radiator network without disruptive and costly replacement works.
– Biomass storage was unfeasible on the constrained urban site.
– PV panels and visible plant would face planning objections in the World Heritage setting.

“These technologies can work brilliantly on new builds, but for draughty listed buildings with medieval and Victorian fabric, they’re not always the right fit.”
Ben Hunter MRICS, Project Manager, Method BC

The Solution: High-Efficiency Gas with Modern Controls

The selected system, Hamworthy Purewell Variheat Mk2 condensing cast-iron boilers, offered the right blend of performance, heritage compatibility and efficiency.

Key Features:
– Modular design to scale output up or down based on demand
– Zoning controls to heat only occupied areas
– Plate heat exchanger to protect new plant from debris in the existing pipe network
Project Benefits
Immediate Gains:
– Reliable heating and hot water across all student rooms, teaching spaces, kitchens, and event areas
– Elimination of emergency heating measures and event cancellations
– Predictable maintenance costs with a service contract
– Improved student comfort and satisfaction

Future Advantages:
– Reduced gas consumption and lower carbon footprint through efficient zoning
– 20-year system lifespan for confident budget forecasting
– Risk mitigation for critical university operations

Project Summary
Client St Chad’s College, Durham University
Project Manager Method Building Consultancy – Ben Hunter MRICS
M&E Engineer NEECO – Steve Farrell
Completion July 2022
Project Value £500,000
System Hamworthy Purewell Variheat Mk2 condensing boilers + plate heat exchanger

A Model for Sustainable Heritage Care

While gas may not be the trendiest heating choice, for St Chad’s it was the most sustainable long-term solution when balancing efficiency, cost, and heritage constraints.

“The most sustainable building is the one that’s already here. Our duty is to protect and enhance it – not replace it.”
Ben Hunter MRICS, Project Manager, Method BC

Looking for expert guidance on heritage building services?

Method Building Consultancy specialises in complex building projects where heritage, compliance, and performance must align. Contact us today to discuss how we can help safeguard your property’s future.

“It’s good to have a partner who understands the challenges of the environment in which we operate and who is good at communicating with us. Taking the initiative to work with planners and contractors is appreciated and follow-up to ensure work is completed on time and to a sufficiently high standard is good.”
Alistair Jenkins, Bursar, St Chad’s College