Magdalen is always taking steps to improve its sustainability, and its latest project may prove the perfect template for sustainable accommodation in the future.
In 2024, a plan to replace the ageing gas boiler at 71 High Street with an air-source heat pump was completed, alongside improvements to the building’s insulation. The College believed that the initial expense of installing the pump would be worthwhile to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and help manage long-term operating costs, but it would only know for certain after a year-long performance review*. Now, the results are in.
The most striking result is that our total annual energy use has dropped by over half. Before the upgrade, total annual energy use was 63,139 kWh. Following installation, this fell to 29,557 kWh, a reduction of 53.2%.
Carbon emissions also dropped. Before the upgrade, emissions were 11,765 kg CO₂e. After installation, they fell to 6,120 kg CO₂e, a 48.0% reduction.
As well as being more sustainable, the new system is also more cost-effective. Annual energy costs fell from £8,813 before the works to £7,556 after installation, delivering a 14.3% saving.
These numbers are very encouraging, but with the changing cost of gas and electricity and the effects of the weather difficult to measure, we’ll have a better idea of savings over the coming years.
We are currently trialling similar projects in other College buildings – we will share our findings when we have them. The 71 High Street project appears to be demonstrating how low-carbon heating technologies can deliver both environmental and financial benefits over time.
*The analysis compares a baseline period from November 2022 to October 2023 with post-installation data from November 2024 to October 2025.