The London College of Music – Vestry Hall

Project Snapshot

Client: University of West London – London College of Music
Sector: Public Sector – Higher Education
Building Type: Heritage performance and recording facility
Project Scope: Heating system replacement and upgrade
Funding Route: Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) Phase 1
Our Role: Specialist installation partner for low-carbon heating
Technologies Used: Air source heat pumps and new heat distribution

The Decarbonisation Challenge

The London College of Music is a specialist music and performing arts college with a history stretching back more than 130 years. Its Vestry Hall facility in Ealing, built in 1879, houses recording studios, rehearsal spaces and performance rooms used daily by students and staff.

The building had historically been heated by a gas-fired boiler serving outdated radiators and pipework. This resulted in inconsistent comfort levels across the building and a system that no longer aligned with the University of West London’s wider decarbonisation strategy.

The challenge was to replace the existing system with a low-carbon alternative that reduced emissions and energy use, while respecting the building’s heritage status and maintaining a quiet environment suitable for music performance and recording.

Key Delivery Considerations

From the outset, there were several important factors to manage:

– A listed, heritage building with physical and aesthetic constraints
– A performance environment where noise levels are critical
– Daily use of studios and rehearsal spaces
– The need to improve comfort without compromising acoustics
– PSDS funding requirements and programme timescales

Any solution had to be carefully designed to balance decarbonisation goals with occupant comfort and local impact.

Our Role

We were appointed by main contractor Ameresco as the specialist partner to deliver the renewable heating installation at Vestry Hall.

Following a full site survey and detailed heat loss analysis, we worked closely with the project team to design a system that met performance requirements while addressing the specific sensitivities of a live music and performance environment.

The Solution

We specified and installed two 16kW Panasonic T‑CAP air source heat pumps to replace the existing gas-fired boiler system.

The heat pumps were installed on a reinforced concrete base and fitted with anti-vibration mountings and rubber-insulated pipework to minimise noise and vibration. New radiators were installed throughout the building to improve heat distribution and comfort levels.

Given the nature of the building, particular care was taken to ensure the system operated quietly and unobtrusively.

Delivery & Outcomes

The new system now provides reliable, low-carbon heating across Vestry Hall throughout the year, while meeting the acoustic requirements of a working music college.

Key outcomes include:

– Annual energy savings of over 47,500 kWh
– Carbon savings of approximately 10 tonnes of CO₂e
– Improved comfort levels throughout the building
– A heating system described by occupants as ‘embarrassingly quiet’

The project demonstrates how heat pump technology can be successfully applied within heritage buildings, even where noise sensitivity and performance use are critical considerations.

The Client’s Voice

Claire Willitts, Director of Property Services at the University of West London, said:

“It was essential to balance our decarbonisation needs with our local impact on this project, as well as complement the heritage building.”