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Church heating

Our churches should be places where people can gather, worship and belong in comfort. How we heat them is one of the biggest choices we can make about their environmental impact.

As a diocese, we are committed to reaching net zero carbon and to caring for God’s creation. This isn’t simply about changing boilers or reducing energy bills. The way we care for and use our buildings can be a practical expression of the Fifth Mark of Mission – safeguarding creation and sustaining and renewing the life of the earth.

Heating and renewables policy

Our policy sets out the principles we use when considering new heating systems and renewable technologies, and how our commitment to net zero should inform decisions about our buildings.

  • Heating and Renewables Policy

    PDF 1.1 MB


Start with the building – not the technology. There is no single heating system that will be right for every church. A small, rural medieval church used for a few hours each week could have very different needs from large, city centre church used every day. What works well in one building may be expensive, uncomfortable or inefficient in another.

Before replacing your heating: get the best from what you already have. The lowest-carbon and lowest-cost intervention is often to use less energy in the first place. Before considering a complete heating replacement, make sure your existing system is operating as effectively as possible. Coming soon – our Reducing energy bills guidance booklet will be available shortly.

One of the most important questions is not simply which technology to install, but what are we actually trying to heat? Broadly, church heating can be split into two approaches: space heating, which aims to warm the whole church or a substantial part of it, and localised or ‘people’ heating, which provides warmth directly where people sit, stand or gather. Space heating can work well in buildings used frequently or for long periods, while localised systems such as infrared, heated pews or seat cushions can be particularly effective in intermittently used churches where heating a large volume of air would be inefficient. Neither approach is automatically better; the right solution depends on the building, how it is used and where warmth is actually needed.

Explore heating options

Churches across the Diocese are already using a wide variety of heating technologies. Additional guidance will be added here soon, but in the meantime, please contact Dan.

What if we need a new fossil-fuel boiler?

New fossil-fuel boilers are not banned, but installing one should not normally be the starting point for a heating project. The Church of England’s commitment to net zero means churches are expected to give due regard to relevant net zero guidance when considering major heating changes.

Where a new oil or gas boiler is proposed, the DAC will expect the PCC to have properly explored lower-carbon alternatives and to demonstrate why those options are not currently technically or financially viable. There will be circumstances where retaining or replacing fossil-fuel equipment may still be necessary, but our aim is to avoid locking churches into fossil-fuel heating for another generation where a realistic alternative exists.

We strongly recommend speaking to our Church Buildings Adviser or Net Zero Project Lead at an early stage. We can help you understand the options, learn from other churches and avoid spending money developing a solution which may not be appropriate for your building.

Talk to us about your heating project