Bath's Historic Buildings' sustainable practises

One of Bath and North East Somerset Council's prime objectives is to address the causes and effects of climate change.

Heritage Services' premises consume high levels of energy and, in order to address this, building on previous good practice, some key measures have been introduced . These are designed to minimise energy consumption without compromising listed building or scheduled ancient monument status or the visitor experience.

The following investment in efficiency measures has resulted in significant reductions in both energy and water consumption:

• Introduction of heat reclaim from spa water in 1993 for winter heating at the Pump Room. This accounted for 16.5% of the energy used on site. The system has also now been extended into a new system of environmental control over the Roman monument
• A new electricity contract at the Pump Room has increased the proportion of green energy used to more than 60%
• Where appropriate energy efficient light bulbs have been installed
• Movement sensors are fitted to activate lights in staff areas in the Pump Room buildings
• In public areas, new energy efficient hand dryers have been fitted, along with water saving sensor taps and urinals
• All paper used for brochures, letters and envelopes is recycled. Additionally, wherever possible, waste paper, cardboard and ink cartridges are recycled
• Traditional water coolers have been replaced with those that cool water from the mains supply, eliminating weekly van deliveries
• Searcys, our contracted caterers at the Pump Room and Assembly Rooms, reduce food miles by sourcing their produce locally and also minimising delivery miles.
• Windows at the Assembly Rooms and Pump Room offices have been draught-proofed