This page is for the Holy Family Decarbonisation project. Over the next few months we will be looking into options for reducing the carbon footprint of the building, improving energy efficiency, being more energy self-sufficient and considering the post-gas strategy for the church for the time that the gas boiler eventually needs to be replaced. This forms part of how we can play our part in supporting a fossil-fuel free future.

We have started looking into the Return on Investment calculations and have provided a summary of the methodology here.

Holy Family church uses relatively small amounts of gas compared to other churches. Even so, an aspect of this work is to look into viable zero carbon heating options for the church to at least maintain the current comfort levels. This is to be ready for the time when the gas boiler requires attention. Heat pumps are now becoming available which can deliver high temperatures and would be suitable for direct gas boiler replacement with minimal fuss. Alternative air-to-air multi-split units (common in hotels and retail) will be investigated. These provide the added benefit of being able to be used as a community cool space when heat waves, such as the recent one of July 2022, is repeated (and as a heat wave coincides with strong solar power output, such a cool space would be powered directly from the on-site solar generation). It is possible that heat pumps will not be financially attractive without grants, so this work will establish to what extent this is true. However, it is very likely that the return on investment from an ecological perspective will be highly favourable. For general information about domestic heat pumps, why not look at our guide here.

Project Background:

We are looking at the possibilities and benefits (both economic and environmental) for energy decarbonisation of Holy Family church.

Learning from this project will be posted on this page. It is expected that learning will include Finance-related matters (how to communicate the business case, how to establish a methodology to give confidence to fully understand installer suggestions and quotations, …), Buildings-related matters (how to collect necessary building fabric information, how to develop a design that respects the character and fabric of the building, …) and Laudato Si’-related matters (how to establish that the project has strong environmental benefit, how to engage parishioners with the project, how to celebrate positive change, …).

If you have relevant skills or are simply curious and would like to get involved, please get in contact using our contact form.

Keep an eye on this page for project updates!