Hill End
Hill End outdoor learning centre received an OxFutures grant from GreenFund to install secondary glazing in their dormitory buildings.
“This project has meant that we can do more of the Outdoor Learning that we were set up to do.”
David Millin
Hill End
The Project
Hill End has been offering unique outdoor learning experiences since the 1920s. They are a multi-use site, providing a diverse range of outdoor activities and facilities to schools and organised groups. The site consists of 24 buildings ranging from offices to training and event rooms, residential dormitories and shower blocks. They contacted OxFutures and the Low Carbon Hub to investigate how much energy they were using and how best they could reduce wastage and improve the experience of their customers at the same time.
The windows in a number of the buildings at Hill End were single glazed and so it was determined that by installing double or secondary glazing there could be quite a change made to the heat loss and temperature maintained in the rooms. As a number of the buildings have limited winter use or are wooden buildings with a limited life span on a large scale it was determined that this recommendation was for buildings that will be well heated and used in colder months. One of the dormitory buildings has since replaced the previous draughty units with double glazing. Hill End has seen a saving in their energy bills with a consequent reduction in our carbon footprint, whilst extending our residential season into the winter.
“We are very grateful to OxFutures and the Low Carbon Hub and hope that we can work together on more projects recommended in our energy audit.”
David Millin
Hill End
Hill End is always looking at ways to make their business operate more efficiently and with the energy assessment they received they will have the knowledge to incrementally implement more efficiency measures as and when they are able.
As of March 2021, Hill End have continued the implementation of the recommendations from their OxFutures energy assessment. Their grant application to Westmill Solar Co-op was successful and this funding was used to insulate the loft of the main shower block. This building was badly in need of insulation to reduce its carbon footprint from heat loss but also to improve customer experience.
Hill End have also been successful in securing a small grant from the Low Carbon Hub which they are going to put towards their ‘Cosy Dormitories Project’ which aims to loft insulate all of the dormitories to reduce their carbon footprint even further.