Replace your boiler with a heat pump
Heat pumps take heat from the outside air or ground using the same kind of technology as refrigerators, but in reverse. Installing pumps is expensive but there are grants available and if you can raise the costs, the running costs make it worth it. They usually warm water but they can warm the air directly. You may need underfloor heating unless you have low heat loss, generous radiators, and pipework big enough to deliver the heat using lower temperature water than on your old system. If you do need to install underfloor heating, ensure underfloor insulation as part of the design.
"Our species has been the cause of such corruption and devastation … that we are in danger ending life as we know it on our planet."
— Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change
Further information
- Case study of underfloor heating in a church (from Church of England Environment Programme)
- Air to air church case study 1 (from Church of England - A Church Near You)
- Air to air church case study 2 (from Church of England - A Church Near You)
- Accredited heat pump installers operating in Scotland (from Local Energy Scotland)
- Heat Pump CARES grant example - St Ninians RC, Dundee (from Local Energy Scotland)
- Heat Pump Cares Grant Example - Cairnlee Parish Church Hall (from Local Energy Scotland)
- Installing Heat Pumps in Historic Buildings (from Historic England)
- Viability of Air Source Heat Pumps in Churches - video (from Andrew McQuatt, Max Fordham)
- Use of Heat Pumps in Historic Buildings (from Historic England Webinar)
- What is a heat pump (from National Grid)
- UK Heat and Buildings Strategy (from Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy)
- Practical tips about heat pumps in churches (from Church of England Environment Programme)
- Assessing radiators for use with a heat pump (from HeatGeek)