Dear Friends,
The gas boiler at Littlehampton Meeting House has broken down over the Christmas period and we have been advised by our service engineer to replace it. It was over 20 years old and we knew it could break down but nevertheless our premises committee hadn't prepared fully for how to replace it.
We are aware that over the past few years the wardens e-group has discussed heating systems in the light of reducing Meeting House carbon footprints. However, because it is a changing picture we'd be interested in advice from Friends' recent experience and research.
We have considered air and ground heat pumps but feel our listed building status and concerns about noise and effectiveness mitigate against them as a viable alternative method of heating. The Meeting House was built in the 1830s, is a grade II listed building, has cobbled exterior walls and large windows; secondary glazing is erected in the winter months and it has good roof insulation.
We have considered replacing gas with gas and are aware that modern boilers are less polluting and more efficient. However, harmful emissions are still a concern.
We have considered a combination of electric storage heaters and electric panels but feel this would be complicated to manage and not provide hot water.
We are minded to replace the defunct combi gas boiler with a combi electric boiler. We are aware that the energy costs are much more expensive than gas but feel that there would be no harmful emissions, other than those used in producing electricity in the first place. We are encouraged by the increasing use of renewables in the production of electricity and the stated aim for the UK to be carbon neutral by 2050. Replacing the gas boiler with an electric one would be the least disruptive in terms of being able to continue use of the existing radiators and pipework.
Unfortunately our listed building status precludes us from generating our own energy from solar panels which is regrettable (especially as our long roof faces due south with no obstructions to daylight).
Advice and guidance on heating systems would be much welcomed. Thank you
Richard Marler, Warden, Littlehampton Meeting
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