Heating for Churches UK | Smarter Church Heating with Infrared

Heating for churches in the UK presents very different challenges compared to residential or standard commercial buildings. Many churches are historic, listed or architecturally significant structures with very high ceilings, poor insulation and large open interiors.

These characteristics make traditional heating systems expensive and inefficient.

Churches typically feature:

• Very high vaulted ceilings

• Large open nave areas

• Stone or solid brick walls

• Stained glass windows

• Limited insulation

• Heritage restrictions where aesthetics matter

Traditional convection heating systems work by heating the air. However, in a church with a large volume of air and high ceilings, warm air naturally rises and accumulates above head height. This means the heat you are paying for sits near the roof — not where the congregation is seated.

Heating the entire air volume of a church is therefore extremely expensive and inefficient.

In addition, churches often have changing occupancy patterns:

• Sunday services

• Midweek events

• Choir rehearsals

• Community gatherings

• Weddings and funerals

Planning ahead is essential, yet traditional church heating systems cannot easily respond to changing timetables. Systems may need to run for hours before an event just to make the building comfortable, leading to significant energy waste.

For many churches and dioceses across the UK, rising energy prices have made heating one of the largest operational costs. There is increasing pressure to find cheap, energy efficient heating for churches without compromising comfort or heritage aesthetics.

Common Heating Systems Currently Used in Churches

Most churches in the UK rely on one of the following heating methods:

Gas Boilers with Radiators or Underfloor Heating

Many older churches operate gas-fired wet heating systems. While familiar, these systems come with considerable drawbacks:

• High maintenance and servicing costs

• Boiler replacement cycles

• Heat loss through long pipe runs

• Slow warm-up times

• Inefficient air-based heating

In large open church buildings, radiators struggle to deliver consistent warmth at seating level.

Warm Air Blower Systems

Some churches use forced warm air systems. These attempt to heat the entire space but can be:

• Expensive to run

• Noisy

• Uneven in distribution

• Poor at retaining heat

Portable or Supplemental Heaters

Freestanding heaters are sometimes used as temporary solutions. These are rarely efficient and can create safety or trip hazards.

The reality is that many traditional church heating systems are outdated, inefficient and costly to maintain.

A Modern Solution: Infrared Heating for Churches

Infrared heating works differently from conventional convection systems.

Instead of heating the air, infrared panels and bar heaters emit radiant heat that warms people, pews, floors and surfaces directly. Objects retain warmth and re-radiate it back into the space, creating a comfortable environment without needing to heat the entire air volume.

For churches, this is a major advantage.

Because infrared heating targets people and surfaces rather than air:

• Less energy is wasted

• Heat is felt almost instantly

• Warmth remains at seating level

• Running costs are significantly lower

Infrared heating for churches UK offers:

• 40–70% cheaper running costs compared to traditional systems

• Approximately 42% lower wattage requirement for equivalent heating coverage

• Zero maintenance or servicing costs

• Rapid warm-up times (15–20 minutes before services)

• Reduced energy waste

This makes infrared heating one of the most energy efficient electric heating solutions for churches.

Who We Are and the Sectors We Work With

At Infrared Group, we specialise in large-scale infrared heating systems across complex estates and large open buildings.

Care Homes

Heating accounts for around 70% of energy costs on average. Our zoned, smart-controlled systems allow care groups to manage multiple buildings efficiently while avoiding wasted energy in unused areas.

Education

We supply safe, efficient ceiling-mounted infrared heating systems to universities, schools and SEN settings. Ceiling installation removes burn risks while delivering consistent warmth in large halls and classrooms.

Hospitality, Hotels and HMOs

We install large-scale infrared heating systems in multi-occupancy buildings, combining energy efficiency with intelligent control.

And More

Across all sectors, infrared heating paired with our advanced smart control system ensures not a single kilowatt-hour is wasted.

The fast warm-up time means rooms can be heated just 15–20 minutes before use — something traditional church heating systems simply cannot achieve.

Infrared Heating: Our Vision for Churches

Our vision is to deliver efficient infrared heating systems across churches and dioceses throughout the UK, with the aim of:

• Significantly reducing running costs

• Lowering maintenance requirements

• Improving sustainability

• Enhancing congregation comfort

• Protecting the aesthetic integrity of historic buildings

We believe churches should have complete control over heating usage, costs and performance.

Infrared heating combines comfort, efficiency and accountability through smart, zoned, data-driven systems designed for large, open worship spaces.

Ceiling-Mounted Infrared Heating in Churches

Ceiling-mounted infrared panels and infrared bar heaters are particularly suited to churches.

Discreet and Heritage-Friendly

Panels can be installed unobtrusively, preserving architectural aesthetics and avoiding intrusive pipework.

Out of Reach – Enhanced Safety

Ceiling installation prevents accidental contact or tampering — unlike traditional radiators which can become hot to the touch.

No Trip Hazards

With no freestanding heaters, walkways remain clear and safe for congregations.

More Usable Space

Wall space remains free for historic features, artwork and seating layouts.

Cleaner Environment

Unlike radiators that circulate dust and allergens, infrared panels do not rely on air movement, helping maintain a cleaner atmosphere.

Even Heat Distribution

Radiant heat is delivered downward, warming seating areas uniformly without cold spots.

Infrared Bar Heaters: Designed for Large Open Church Spaces

In very large churches, nave areas and halls, infrared bar heaters provide powerful, targeted heat where convection systems struggle.

Our infrared bar heaters are specifically designed for large open spaces where heating the entire air volume is inefficient.

They work by:

• Heating people and surfaces directly

• Warming pews and flooring

• Allowing objects to re-radiate heat back into the space

• Delivering instant, directional warmth

Unlike traditional systems, which attempt to heat thousands of cubic metres of air, infrared bar heaters focus energy exactly where it is needed.

This makes them one of the most efficient heating solutions for churches with high ceilings.

Smart Heating Control for Churches – Powered by SALUS Controls

We partner with SALUS Controls to provide advanced Smart Wi-Fi heating management systems.

The combination of the UG800 Gateway, SQ610RF thermostats, SRS relays and the Salus Smart Home App creates a fully connected heating network.

Centralised Control

Monitor and adjust heating across different church areas from a phone, tablet or computer.

Individual Scheduling

Set separate heating schedules for the nave, meeting rooms, halls or offices.

Temperature Thresholds

Staff can adjust temperatures within limits set by church management, preventing overheating.

Remote Multi-Site Management

For dioceses overseeing multiple churches, heating can be managed from a single login.

Energy Monitoring and Analytics

Track energy usage, measure costs and analyse carbon reduction across sites.

This enables:

• Budget forecasting

• Sustainability reporting

• Transparent funding applications

• Carbon reduction commitments

  
  

Installation with Minimal Disruption

Infrared heating systems require:

• No additional pipework

• No ductwork

• No boiler rooms

• Minimal invasive works

Installation is fast, straightforward and less disruptive — ideal for churches operating weekly services and community events.

For dioceses, this allows phased roll-out across multiple buildings efficiently.

Solar PV and Low-Carbon Heating for Churches

Infrared heating works exceptionally well when paired with solar PV systems.

Off-Grid Potential

Generate clean electricity and use it to power ultra-efficient electric infrared heating.

Dramatically Lower Energy Bills

Self-generation combined with low-consumption heating significantly reduces operational costs.

Sustainability and Stewardship

Reduced fossil fuel reliance aligns with environmental stewardship and carbon reduction commitments.

Why Infrared Heating Is the Future for Churches UK

When considering heating for churches UK, the priorities are clear:

• Cheap to run

• Energy efficient

• Low maintenance

• Suitable for high ceilings

• Heritage-friendly

• Smart and controllable

• Sustainable

Infrared heating delivers on all of these requirements.

For churches struggling with rising energy bills and inefficient traditional systems, infrared heating offers a practical, modern and future-proof solution.

A Smarter Way to Heat Your Church

If you are reviewing your church heating system and looking for a more energy efficient, low-maintenance and cost-effective alternative, we would be pleased to provide an initial consultation and outline how infrared heating could work within your building.

Contact Infrared Group for expert advice and a tailored quote.

📞 0333 090 7160
📧 info@infraredgroup.co.uk
🌐 www.infraredgroup.co.uk