Museums And Archives

Cold water heating the Museum of Lead Mining!

We aim to install a heating system which will significantly reduce both the museum's carbon footprint and reliance on electricity, improve financial resilience and provide a template for other rural community buildings. This project builds on the use of water as a source of energy in the local lead mining industry over the centuries. Working with Edinburgh University, an innovative, water-source, heat exchange system has been developed which will provide hot water and heat the Visitor Centre with energy from the cold water of the burn. The burn receives water from the old mines at a temperature of 8 degreesC. A field study has demonstrated its effectiveness. There has been no effective heating system since 2021. The new system will provide a more comfortable environment for visitors and staff, as well as better conditions for collection care. This is an opportunity to share this science with the local community.