Ideal for: PCCs, churchwardens, clergy, and community hall managers looking for practical, efficient church heating.
“People can now remove their coats in the winter which they were never able to do under the old system.”
Overview
This infrared church heating case study shows how St George’s Church in Tylers Hill near Chesham, affectionately known as “the little church in the woods” upgraded from an ageing electric heating system to a modern infrared solution.
The church dates back to 1871, holds weekly Sunday services, and can accommodate around 50 people. Linked to the church are the Bangay Rooms, which can be rented out for community use.
The church received a grant from another local church to invest in a new heating system, replacing an ageing and expensive-to-run electric setup.
Warmth felt within 15 minutes
Approx. 30% reduction in electricity bills
Simple weekly scheduling and easy overrides
Discreet appearance that blends with the church interior
Church Heating Installation Outcomes
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| Ageing storage and wall heaters | ARCAngel Vigilance infrared heating |
| Expensive to run | Approx. 30% reduction in electricity bills |
| Limited control | Simple scheduled thermostat control |
| Lower comfort levels | Warmth noticeable after around 15 minutes |
The Challenge
The previous heating system consisted of:
4 storage heaters
6 Dimplex wall heaters
2 standard wall heaters
The system was described as very old and antiquated, inefficient, and expensive to run.
“As well as being very inefficient, they (the storage heaters) were very expensive to run.”
How St George’s Church decided on an infrared heating solution
Two companies were invited to review options:
A nationwide provider
Recommended replacing the system with modern electric radiators
ARC Thermal Solutions
Recommended by another church in the area, proposed an infrared solution.
The church preferred the infrared approach, aiming to achieve ambient heating and significantly improve thermal comfort for those using the space.
“We were looking for ambient heating to significantly improve the thermal comfort for those using the hall.”
Key Customer Objectives
Understanding what St George’s church were looking to achieve was key when ARC designed and specified the infrared heating for the space.
Finding a solution that fitted the budget
This not only includes the upfront product and installation costs, but the total cost of ownership (TCO), and how much this will cost the customer to run over time.
Low maintenance
High maintenance solutions have ongoing costs associated with them, as well as being inconvenient and contributing to carbon footprint. Selecting low maintenance heating allows for easier church operations and reduces the churches carbon footprint.
Ease of use
Complicated controls and management systems require extensive training, and are not generally suitable for community use.
Long service life
It goes without saying that when you are investing in a heating system, it needs to last. Selecting quality products, proven to last is essential.
Why infrared heating is the right solution for St George’s Church
The building is used at specific times, so scheduled heating supports efficient operation.
Warmth is felt quickly, helping ensure comfort before services begin.
Controls are simple for volunteers to use and override when needed.
The heaters blend in well cosmetically with the church interior.
Working Through Diocese Approval
During the faculty application process, the Diocese of Oxford raised queries about the heater type, positions, and wiring.
ARC Thermal worked closely with the church, suggesting alternatives and adjusting proposals until approval was achieved.
“ARC were brilliant at suggesting alternatives which the Diocese were eventually very happy with.”
Installation & Practicalities
The installation took four days from start to finish.
ARC’s electrical engineer explained the system clearly
All old heaters were removed
The site was left clean and tidy
The church noted that the heaters blend in well cosmetically with the building.
“The install from start to finish took 4 days. They left the site nice and tidy afterwards and removed all the old heaters for us.”
Controls & Day-to-Day Use
The system uses a combination of smart controls to manage heating schedules and day-to-day operation:
The thermostat control system allows simple weekly scheduling, with manual overrides available when needed.
Heating is scheduled to start at 8am on Sundays
The system switches off at 1pm after services
Settings can be easily adjusted for smaller events
“The thermostat control system is very easy to use and the standard weekly settings can easily be overridden if need be”
Warmth is noticeable after around 15 minutes, helping ensure the church is comfortable before services begin.
“After about 15 minutes you can feel the difference.”
Comfort & Feedback
The congregation has responded positively to the new system.
“They have been very impressed with the new system and can now remove their coats in the winter which they were never able to do under the old system.”
- Andy Rennard
The panels blend in well visually, and due to the wavelength there is no glow from the heaters.
Running Costs & Sustainability
“We have seen at least a 30% reduction in our bills since we moved over to the new system.”
-Andy Rennard
Since moving to the new system, the church reports a significant reduction in energy costs.
The church holds a Silver ECO Church award and hopes the new heating system will help progress toward Gold.
Shop St George’s Church’s Solution
ARCAngel Vigilance
The system installed at St George’s Church is based around ARCAngel Vigilance, designed for churches and community buildings requiring comfortable, controllable infrared heating.
Project Outcomes
Improved comfort for services and events
Simple scheduling and controls
Warmth felt after around 15 minutes
Approx. 30% reduction in electricity bills
Discreet appearance within the church interior
Supports sustainability goals
Reflections
“Depending on how much the church is being used, I would recommend that any church/community building consider infrared heating as an option.”
“100%. They were so helpful, flexible and professional. We always like to support local companies. If there are any issues, they can be onsite very quickly.”
At St George’s Church, warmth is noticeable after around 15 minutes. The system is scheduled to start before services so the space is comfortable when people arrive.
Yes. In this project, the heaters were selected to blend in well cosmetically with the interior, helping the system sit comfortably within an older church environment.
The church reports that the thermostat control system is very easy to use, with weekly schedules that can be overridden when needed for events or smaller gatherings.
St George’s Church reported at least a 30% reduction in electricity bills after moving to the new system.
This project used ARCAngel Vigilance infrared heating, supported by ET-111A radio receivers, Delta Dore Minor 1000 wireless room thermostats, and the TYDOM Home smart hub for control and scheduling.
Thinking About Heating Your Church?
ARC Thermal designs heating solutions around how churches are actually used, helping improve comfort while supporting efficiency and long-term practicality. You don’t need a finished specification before speaking to us. Most church heating projects start with a simple conversation.