Heating
One of the most important challenges facing churches today is providing sufficient comfort for the many different users of the building, from worshippers to staff to visitors. Achieving this whilst cutting our greenhouse gas emissions and conserving historic interiors creates specific technical challenges for church buildings.
In February 2020, The Church of England committed to a target of zero carbon neutrality by 2030. Meeting this target will be challenging and will require a drastic change of approach to heating our church buildings. Current guidance on heating church buildings is being revised.
Until this revised guidance is available we suggest parishes undertake the three part exercise below
Firstly read the initial document produced by the Church Buildings Council, Review of heating guidance - Establishing principles, which explains some of the issues to consider if the Church is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
Assess the current carbon footprint of your building. The Energy Footprint Tool will calculate your church's carbon footprint, based on the energy you use to heat and light your buildings. You will need to have the whole of last year's electricity and gas/oil bills. There are two useful graphs which show you your efficiency scores; one for energy efficiency based on building size and one for attendance. This tool is available to all Church of England churches using the Online Parish Returns System.
Assess your needs and requirements by working through the questions suggested in Assessment of Heating in Church Buildings, provided by the DAC Heating advisor
Your first port of call on major heating issues should be your church architect and heating contractor. The Diocese has available a Buildings and advisor and a Net Zero advisor - please feel free to call on them early in the process
The DAC has a specialist Heating Adviser - he would normally become involved only after you've already taken advice from your architect and heating contractor.
Further Information
Churchcare - Advice on air source and ground source heating systems
Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers - This body maintains a register of consultants working in the heating industry.
Asbestos Health and safety - If you are examining lagging, heating ducts and underfloor voids etc. do take care to watch out for signs of asbestos and seek professional guidance as appropriate.