Case Study – Infra-red Heating for Churches

South Muskam Church lies just West of Newark in the North Nottingham Countryside.  Like many Churches throughout the United Kingdom, heating is difficult due to the large interior and infrequent use of the building.

The Problem

This Traditionally built church had the same problem as most old churches, the high ceilings and large open interior made it very difficult to heat.

In the 1960’s a gas heating system was installed. This system comprised a number of wall mounted heaters but maintenance costs on this outdated system were high and the heating effect was unsubstantial.

The Solution

By installing a series of 1.5kW Linquartz infra-red heaters, specified and supplied by Leisure Heating Ltd, the church now has a full heating system which primarily heats the congregation rather than large volumes of air.

The Benefits

The use of energy efficient Infra-red heating has allowed South Muskam Church to increase the overall effect of heating while keeping energy costs to a minimum. The new infra-red heating system does not need to be switched on many hours before the congregation arrives. The instant heat up times of short-wave infra-red heating means that the system can be switched on just a few minutes before a service begins.

Electric Infra-red Heating

Infra-red heating is based on the transfer of thermal energy by electromagnetic radiation. Infra-red emitters are classified according to the temperature dependent peak wavelength which they emit and can be short-wave, medium-wave and long-wave.

Short-wave infra-red heaters have the ability to heat people directly without having to heat up the air first. They are compact, energy efficient and easily installed.

The element used has a thermal response similar to an electric light bulb so is instant. Infra-red heaters can be easily used with PIR movement detectors or with power controllers.

Case Study – Gothic Style Chandeliers for Victorian Churches

The Challenge

The Grade II listed Anglican Parish Church in Amcotts village is dedicated to St Mark and was built in 1853. It is of a traditional design with high ceilings and a large open interior. For many years the church had stood unused and neglected but following a successful bid for a grant from Keadby Windfarm Community Fund, Leisure Heating were given the challenge of designing a heating and lighting scheme which would have minimum impact on the listed building status of the church whilst being in keeping with its interior architecture.

The Solution

By installing seven specially designed chandeliers in the nave and an additional ‘half’ chandelier on the wall in the chancel, the church now has bright new LED lighting and an infra-red heating system which primarily heats the congregation rather than large volumes of air. The chandeliers are designed in ‘Victorian Gothic’ style typical of a church this age and in keeping with the church’s architecture. Each carries 5.5kW of short-wave infra-red heating from three radiant elements. Each unit also carries 21W of LED lighting from three warm-white candle lamps.

The Benefits

The use of Infra-red heating combined with new LED candle lights has allowed St Mark’s to benefit from a very energy efficient cost effective system which is relatively simple to install and virtually maintenance free. The new infra-red heating does not need to be switched on many hours before the congregation arrives.  The instant heat up times of short-wave infra-red heating means that the system can be switched on just a few minutes before a service begins.

The Principle of Infra-red Heating

Infra-red heating is based on the transfer of thermal energy by electromagnetic radiation. Infra-red emitters are classified according to the temperature dependent peak wavelength which they emit and can be short-wave, medium-wave and long-wave. Short-wave infra-red used in our chandelier heaters has the ability to heat people directly without having to heat up the air first. The element used has a thermal response similar to an electric light bulb so is instant. The low-glare coating used on the elements cuts out almost all of the strong red glow usually associated with older infra-red heating. Infra-red heaters can easily be dimmed using optional power controllers.

For more information on our range of specially manufactured church heating please call our office on 0115 937 2727

The Challenge

For over 600 years the Church of St Michael’s had been a focal point of spiritual life in Beccles but in October 2005 its ancient heating system, installed in the 1860’s, developed a catastrophic fault. Engineers soon realised that the underground pipe work to the system had deteriorated beyond any cost effective repair and that a new system would have to be installed. Various schemes were explored and discounted as they used expensive gas alternatives to the original coke boiler and were noisy and smelly as well as costly to run. These propositions also involved structural alterations which would compromise the architectural beauty of the ancient Church. Furthermore St Michael’s needed to adapt to the needs of today’s smaller congregation which no longer required the whole Church to be heated at all times. Leisure Heating Ltd was approached to design a flexible, instant and cost effective heating system.

The Solution

By installing twelve 9kW ‘Crown’ chandeliers placed at strategic points throughout the church for maximum efficiency, the church now has an infra-red heating system which primarily heats the congregation rather than large volumes of air. Each chandelier carries six 1.5kW short-wave infra-red heaters plus six up lights and six downlights all in keeping with the church’s age and architecture. Leisure Heating chandeliers are individually designed to be attractive and in keeping with the interior of the particular church in which they are installed.

Leisure heating Ltd are proud to have been the first company to have installed this innovative heating technique into a church in Britain.

The Benefits

The use of Leisure Heating chandeliers with combined infra-red heating and low energy lighting has allowed St Michael’s to benefit from a very energy efficient, cost effective system which is relatively simple to install and virtually maintenance free. Furthermore, infra-red heating does not need to be switched on many hours before the congregation arrives.  The instant heat up times of short-wave infra-red means that the system can be energised just before a service begins, thus making a great saving in money and time.

For further information or to discuss your church heating requirements, please contact Leisure Heating Ltd on 0115 937 2727

The Challenge

St Luke’s at Gaddesby in Leicestershire is a traditionally built medieval church with high ceilings, and a large open interior. For many years the church had suffered from poor lighting and had no heating so the challenge for Leisure Heating was to design a heating and lighting scheme which would have minimum impact on its listed building status. In addition to the main space for worship, an area at the rear of the South aisle required heating and lighting for use as a children’s play area.

The Solution

By installing 10 specially designed chandeliers in the nave and an additional chandelier over the children’s play area, the church now has bright new LED lighting and an infra-red heating system which primarily heats the congregation rather than large volumes of air. Each chandelier is designed as a medieval cartwheel, in keeping with the church’s age and architecture and carries 6kW of short-wave infra-red heating from three radiant elements. Each unit also carries 40W of LED lighting from eight lamps fitted with Murano glass shades.

The Benefits

The use of Infra-red heating combined with new LED lighting has allowed St Luke’s to benefit from a very energy efficient cost effective system which is relatively simple to install and virtually maintenance free. The new infra-red heating does not need to be switched on many hours before the congregation arrives.  The instant heat up times of short-wave infra-red heating means that the system can be switched on just a few minutes before a service begins.

Quote from David Wyrko, Building Warden and Project Lead, St Luke’s, Gaddesby.

“ From the outset of this project, Leisure Heating have provided an extremely high level of service and have developed an individual design of chandelier that best fits a unique, Grade 1 listed, medieval church building.

The demands of all the agencies involved were met with patience and ‘a can do’ approach and the outcome has been praised by all, but most importantly, by the users of the building.

A member of the congregation over many decades stated that this was the first time that she had attended a service where her feet were as warm as the rest of her body and the Parochial Church Council have welcomed the substantially reduced heating bills.

I would most heartily recommend Leisure Heating to anyone seeking a bespoke heating system for their church as our experience has shown that they can deliver a high quality product to a tight budget which satisfies all needs.”

The Principle of Infra-red Heating

Infra-red heating is based on the transfer of thermal energy by electromagnetic radiation. Infra-red emitters are classified according to the temperature dependent peak wavelength which they emit and can be short-wave, medium-wave and long-wave.

Short-wave infra-red used in our chandelier heaters has the ability to heat people directly without having to heat up the air first. The element used has a thermal response similar to an electric light bulb so is instant. The low-glare coating used on the elements cuts out almost all of the strong red glow usually associated with older infra-red heating. Infra-red heaters can easily be dimmed using optional power controllers.