How churches & places of worship can cut energy use

You keep the doors open so people can gather, reflect and feel cared for. Yet every winter the same worry arrives: keeping the space warm and well-lit costs more than the budget can carry.

No one wants shivering congregations or shorter services. The goal is simple: keep comfort high while waste goes down.

Where waste creeps into worship spaces

Worship buildings are welcoming, but many weren’t built for efficiency. Common pressure points include:

• Heat pooling in high ceilings. Warm air rises while seats stay cool.
• Old controls and schedules. Heating starts hours early or runs long after people leave.
• Draughty doors and porches. Cold air slips in and pushes warm air out.
• Lighting left on. Corridors, vestries and stores glow when empty.
• Hot water kept hot all week. Immersion heaters or cylinders run even when there’s no need.
• Standby consumption. Fridges, audio racks and chargers sip power around the clock.

None of this is deliberate; it’s the by-product of busy timetables and shared responsibility. The upside: these are fixable without touching the rhythm of services.

Quick wins that don’t affect worship or comfort

Heat what’s used, when it’s used

Match schedules to service times and bookings. Shorten pre-heat periods to what’s genuinely needed. If your system allows, zone spaces so the nave, hall and meeting rooms heat independently. A one-degree trim on thermostats often goes unnoticed by congregations but softens the bill.

Keep warmth where people sit

Seal obvious gaps around external doors with brush strips or simple draught excluders. Thick curtains on internal porches help hold heat in the nave. Where character features limit changes, secondary glazing or temporary panels can cut heat loss without altering the building.

Light the path, not the empty rooms

Swap remaining halogens for LED lighting. Fit presence sensors in toilets, corridors and storage areas. In large spaces, create a “service” lighting scene that gives clear light to the chancel, pulpit and aisles without flooding the whole building.

Run hot water to suit real demand

Check immersion heaters and cylinder timers. Many places heat water seven days a week for occasional use. Shift to on-demand where practical, or set short, well-timed heating windows for cleaning or midweek groups.

Tidy up the always-on load

Group fridges, dehumidifiers, PA amplifiers and chargers on clearly labelled switches. Add a simple close-down checklist for the last keyholder: heating to schedule, lights off, non-essential sockets off. Small habits, shared widely, make the biggest dent.

Keep comfort front and centre

Energy saving should never mean cold hands or rushed liturgy. Targeted warmth at seating level often improves comfort because heat is where people are, not trapped near the roof. Focused lighting helps people see, sing and read with ease. If changes are felt at all, they should feel like care; thoughtful adjustments that make gatherings more pleasant.

Make maintenance work harder for you

A well maintained system uses less energy. Bleed radiators and confirm flow temperatures match the building’s need. Check weather and frost settings so the boiler isn’t working overtime on mild nights. Simple servicing notes in the vestry or plant room help volunteers and wardens keep things consistent from season to season.

Plan ahead for steadier bills

Once the quick wins are in place, look at improvements that bring lasting stability:

• Heating upgrades. Replacing an ageing boiler or moving to a modern system improves control and reliability.
• Insulation where it fits. Lofts, vestries and meeting rooms are often easier places to add insulation than the main worship space.
• Solar PV on suitable roofs. Generate your own electricity and use it for daytime activities or to offset base load.
• Battery storage. Store excess solar for evening events and services.
• Smarter controls. Modern controls make zoning and scheduling simpler for volunteers.

These steps need planning and, sometimes, permissions. The benefit is resilience: steadier running costs and a building that’s kinder to heat and power.

A clear next step

Looking at bigger improvements can feel daunting, especially when budgets and permissions are tight. The important thing is not to do everything at once, but to know which options are worth exploring. We’ll help you make sense of your choices and figure out what’s worth looking at. If you’re thinking about renewable energy but not sure where to begin, let’s have a chat.