*** DEBUG START ***
*** DEBUG END ***

University challenge

14 March 2014

BATH Abbey, together with the engineers Buro Happold, who are working on the abbey's development programme, offered a challenge to Bath University. They invited the Physics Department to help design a sustainable underfloor heating programme that could be fuelled by the naturally heated water running unused under the floor to the River Avon.

Four final-year students replicated a section of the abbey's stone floor, and constructed an underfloor heating system in laboratory conditions for a feasibility study of the efficiency of the scheme. They tested the water temperature against seven different floor-types of varying materials and thickness, and the results were written up in a report which is now being used to help in the final design of the system.

If it all works well, the new system will reduce heating costs as well as carbon emissions for the abbey and in the surrounding buildings, in a joint project with the Bath and North-East Somerset Council.

The director of teaching in the Physics Department at the university, Dr Frances Laughton, says that the project has been a fantastic opportunity for the students "to develop a wide range of transferable skills, including team working, communication, problem-solving and project management". She also says that it has been "a real pleasure to work with the team at Bath Abbey".

Browse Church and Charity jobs on the Church Times jobsite

Forthcoming Events

 

Festival of Preaching: Preaching Truth to Power

13 September 2025

Join us at London's Southwark Cathedral for this one-day event — a transformative gathering of bold voices, prophetic vision, and Spirit-led conviction..

tickets available

 

Finding inspiration in the Psalms : a Church Times one day festival

2 October 2025

Join us in York for this one-day event exploring the gift of the Psalms through poetry, art, liturgy and music.

tickets available

  

Visit our Events page for upcoming and past events 

Most Popular

Past Week
Past Month

Welcome to the Church Times

 

To explore the Church Times website fully, please sign in or subscribe.

Non-subscribers can read four articles for free each month. (You will need to register.)