Heat The Bodies Of The People, Not The Body Of The Church
Dr Morton Warner, Projects Coordinator for St Nicholas Church Committee in the East Vale Ministry Area, reflects on an innovative new heating system which has helped the church to achieve some of their sustainability goals.

The installation of new on-pew heating provided adequate warmth for worshippers for the first time since 2012. And this came at a cost of less than £1.50 for 1.5 hours for the 5v system. Think electric car seats and you know how it works. It`s even that simple to turn on, and it can be zoned.
In addition there is 3.5kw infrared heater over the entrance to provide a warm welcome and another of 1.5k in the Vestry to provide a warm vicar. A heated panel attached to the altar, alongside a heated organ seat, complete the ensemble. An organist with warm hands can play faster, it is said.
And the total running costs? About £4.50 for the 1.5 hours! Servicing is required every 10 years. It is net zero and does not cause condensation. Nearly 100 churches in England have Kovoschmidt on-pew heating, but this is believed to be the first in Wales. The initial outlay: about £14,500 excluding vat.
How does it cope with the coldest of days you might ask? Well, so far this winter, with an interior temperature as low as 3.5C the setting has not needed to go above three quarters. For the trial run it had to be turned down to less than half. Eggs could almost be fried in the pews!
As a Church in Wales Green Exemplar, Sally Carnall, the Chair of the Church Committee (02920 168146), invites visits from others in need of a practical solution to preventing hyperthermia! With the low number of worshippers, we all need to have as many leave as came in!