Modern Heating for a 679-Year-Old Cambridge Institution

Project Overview

Modutherm supplied an AW290 50kW air source heat pump for Pembroke College, Cambridge. Contractor: Infinite Heating. Consultant: Heritage Energy and Building Services Consultancy Ltd.

The Setting

Founded in 1347 by Marie de St Pol, Countess of Pembroke, Pembroke College is the third-oldest college of the University of Cambridge. The college sits at the heart of the city on Trumpington Street, with buildings spanning almost every century since its founding — from medieval courts to Christopher Wren's first architectural commission, the Pembroke Chapel, completed in 1665.

Home to over 700 students and fellows, Pembroke is consistently ranked among Cambridge's highest-performing colleges academically. The college's recently opened Dolby Quarter added over 90 en-suite bedrooms alongside new communal facilities, reflecting an ongoing commitment to modernising the estate whilst preserving its historic character.

The Challenge

Historic university colleges present a unique set of requirements for heating upgrades. Equipment must perform reliably and efficiently within the constraints of a sensitive heritage environment — where noise levels, visual impact, and the ability to integrate with existing building fabric are as important as thermal output. The solution needed to support the University of Cambridge's ambitious sustainability targets whilst meeting the practical demands of a busy, year-round residential and academic institution.

The Solution

• One AW290 50kW air source heat pump
• Natural R290 refrigerant with GWP of 3
• COP up to 4.4 at standard rating conditions
• A+++ energy efficiency rating
• EVI scroll technology for reliable year-round performance
• BMS-ready controls
• Quiet operation suitable for a sensitive heritage environment

Key Benefits

• Heritage Appropriate: Compact footprint and low noise levels make the AW290 well suited to sensitive historic environments where acoustic and visual impact must be minimised
• Sustainability: Natural R290 refrigerant with a GWP of just 3 supports the University of Cambridge's net zero commitments
• Efficiency: COP up to 4.4 delivers substantial energy cost savings compared to traditional heating plant
• Reliability: EVI scroll technology ensures consistent performance throughout the year, regardless of ambient temperature
• Low Maintenance: Heat pump technology requires minimal servicing — no annual gas safety checks, no flue inspections
• Expert Specification: Specified by Heritage Energy and Building Services Consultancy Ltd, ensuring the system was correctly designed for the application

Results

The commissioned AW290 installation delivers efficient, quiet, and low-carbon heating for one of Cambridge's most historic and distinguished institutions. The system's natural refrigerant, minimal visual impact, and high efficiency make it a natural fit for a college that takes both its heritage and its environmental responsibilities seriously.

This project is part of a growing body of work demonstrating how the AW290 performs in heritage and academic environments — joining installations at Cambridge University Botanic Garden and Pembroke College as evidence of the product's suitability for sensitive, prestigious locations.