Durham Miners’ Headquarters Goes Green with Ground Source Heat Pump System
Durham, UK – The historic home of the Durham Miners, located in the heart of north east England, is making strides towards sustainability by becoming the first heritage building in the region to be powered by the heat of the earth. The 108-year-old headquarters, known as Redhills Durham Miners Hall, will now be warmed by a ground source heat pump system.
This innovative system involves the installation of over 8,000 feet of boreholes, reaching a depth of over 130 metres, to tap into the heat of the rocks beneath the building. This will provide carbon dioxide-free central heating to the building, which holds significant cultural and historical importance as a former hub of coal mining in the area.
County Durham was once home to the world’s largest deep mine coalfield, extracting an estimated 30 billion tonnes of coal that was used for fuel all around the world. With the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the ground-breaking heating system at Redhills will not only provide sustainable energy, but also serve as a focal point for climate change studies.
Nick Malyan, chief executive of Redhills CIO, stated, “It is somewhat poetic that we are installing the most carbon neutral heating system to a building that represents generations of miners, their families and communities. This system will not only serve as a reminder of the carbon footprint created over the past 200 years, but also as an important contribution to the larger challenges we face. It will also be a central focus of the climate change education programmes we will run from Redhills, in partnership with organizations like the Durham Energy Institute and Oases.”
The renovation and renewal of Redhills Durham Miners Hall, which is set to open to the public in late autumn next year, is being led by North East contractors Meldrum Group. CEO Dave Meldrum expressed his pride in being a part of this historic project, stating, “Redhills is one of the major heritage projects we have worked on. We understand the deep meaning and significance of the building’s role in our regional history. The ground source heating brings Redhills roaring into the modern era. It is an honour to be part of this historically important project.”
As the first heritage building in the north east to implement a ground source heat pump system, Redhills Durham Miners Hall is setting an example for sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices in the region. With its rich history and dedication to preserving its past while embracing a greener future, Redhills is poised to become a leader in the fight against climate change.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.