Churches and places of worship hold some of the most beautiful, historic, and architecturally significant interiors in the world. But they also share a universal problem: they are notoriously difficult to heat.

Soaring ceilings, stone walls, limited insulation, draughty doorways, and large internal volumes make maintaining comfortable warmth — especially during services — a constant challenge.

And yet, many churches still rely on traditional heating systems that were never designed for these spaces. The result?

• Cold congregations

• High energy bills

• Long warm-up times

• Uneven comfort

• Ongoing frustration for clergy, wardens, and trustees

Let’s explore why traditional heating systems struggle — and the solution that churches across the UK are now turning to.

1. Traditional Heating Heats the Air — Not the People

Most traditional systems, such as radiators, boilers, or forced-air heaters, work by heating the air in a room.

But air behaves predictably:
Hot air rises
Cold air sinks

Now imagine this inside a building with a 10–30 metre ceiling…

The moment the air warms, it rises straight into the rafters, clerestory, or vaulted stone arches — while the congregation below remains cold.

This is called stratification, and it is the single biggest reason churches waste enormous amounts of energy.

You end up paying to heat the ceiling, not the people.

2. Large, Open, Uninsulated Spaces Lose Heat Fast

Most churches were built long before modern insulation standards. The walls are thick, but they are not thermally efficient.

Traditional heating systems rely on building up warm air and holding it in the room. But in a church:

• Large doorways open frequently

• Cold stone constantly absorbs heat

• The air volume is too big to warm effectively

• Draughts carry heat away

• Warm air escapes into the upper levels

This means churches often need to run their heating systems for hours before a service, just to get the temperature to a tolerable level.

The result?
High energy waste
High running costs
Low comfort levels

It’s a lose–lose scenario.

3. Traditional Heating Is Slow — Churches Aren’t Used All Day

Unlike homes or offices, most churches are:

• Used intermittently

• Open for short windows

• Heated only for services, events, funerals, meetings, or community use

Radiators or boilers can take 1–3 hours to warm a space this large.

But most churches only need heat for:

• A 60–90 minute Sunday service

• A midweek prayer meeting

• Choir practice

• One-off ceremonies

This mismatch causes unnecessary expense. The heating runs far longer than the building is in use, and the warm air still escapes.

4. Forced-Air Heating Is Noisy, Uneven, and Disruptive

Some churches use gas blowers or hot-air units to rapidly introduce warm air into the space.

But these systems have serious drawbacks:

• Noise disrupts prayer, reflection, preaching, and choir performances

• Warm air quickly rises and disappears

• Cold spots remain everywhere

• Dust and allergens circulate

• Regular servicing is required

• Large ducts or fans can intrude on sacred architecture

They’re a quick fix — but not a suitable long-term solution.

5. Traditional Heating Often Damages Heritage Aesthetics

Radiators, ducts, pipes, and vents can visually disrupt historic interiors.

In many listed or conservation-controlled churches, adding intrusive equipment may be:

• Prohibited

• Restricted

• Or frowned upon by heritage officers

Traditional heating often requires:

• Pipework along stone walls

• Large metal radiators

• Flues or vents

• Visible ducting

All of which detracts from the character of the space.

**So… What Actually Works?

Infrared Heating — Designed for Spaces Like These**

Infrared heating solves the fundamental problems of traditional systems because it doesn’t heat the air at all.

Instead, infrared heat:

• People

• Pews

• Floors

• Surfaces

…directly, using the same kind of gentle radiant warmth as sunlight.

This single difference changes everything.

How Infrared Heating Transforms Church Comfort

1. It Heats People Directly — Even in Cold Air

Infrared has no reliance on air temperature.
You feel warm even if the surrounding air is cooler — perfect for large stone buildings.

2. No Heat Lost to Ceilings

Because infrared doesn’t heat air, it doesn’t rise.
Warmth stays exactly where the congregation sits.

3. Perfect for Intermittent Use

Infrared warms instantly, meaning churches can heat only when needed:

• 10 minutes before a service

• On a timer

• Zoned, so only pews or chapel spaces get heat

This dramatically reduces running costs.

4. Lowers Energy Bills by 30–50%

Churches typically waste huge amounts of energy heating empty air.
Infrared eliminates this — focusing warmth only where people are.

5. Silent, Clean, and Dust-Free

No fans.
No blowers.
No noise.

Ideal for:

• Prayer

• Choirs

• Readings

• Meditation

• Quiet reflection
  

6. Discreet, Heritage-Friendly Installation

Infrared panels:

• Mount on ceilings or high walls

• Blend into stone and timber

• Require no pipework

• Are minimally intrusive

• Are acceptable for many conservation and heritage applications

They maintain the beauty of the building.

7. Helps Reduce Damp and Condensation

Infrared warms stone surfaces gently, which:

• Lowers moisture levels

• Helps reduce long-term damp

• Creates a healthier interior environment

A major advantage in older buildings.

The Ideal Heating Solution for Churches

Traditional heating tries (and fails) to warm the enormous air volume inside a church.

Infrared skips the air entirely.

It warms people — instantly, directly, efficiently.

Churches across the UK are switching because they experience:

• Warmer congregations

• Lower energy bills

• Minimal disruption

• Greater comfort

• Protection of heritage interiors

• Cleaner, quieter services

Infrared isn’t just an alternative.
It’s the system churches should have had from the beginning.