Hi Richard,

We had the same thing happen at the end of November and chose the simplest option of like for like replacement, because we lost hot water to the kitchen and heating to 1/3 of the building we needed an urgent fix.  We can carbon offset our gas usage.

Like you our MH is from 1826 and II* listed, unlike you we can't erect secondary glazing, so our heat loss is quite high.

A few years ago we had an energy audit and proposal looking at alternative heating solutions and found the cost of the best option, air source heating, too high (~£165,000.00).  In 2025 all new homes will require electrical heating by law, which should help drive down the cost of air/ground source; infrared panels (all the benefits of infra red, without the glare); storage heaters and warm air.  Under sink electric hot water units can replace gas with the benefit of a shorter run to mitigate wasted heat.  If one of those stops working it's only one hot tap made inactive.

For electrical heating and hot water you will probably have to upgrade your electrical supply - we did this last year and replaced gas for cooking with electricity which has been very well received by our user groups.  However, even with 3 phase electricity and 100A per phase we won't have sufficient power to cover the entire building and need to plan further infrastructure improvements and replacement for all three gas boilers and a 7 KWH gas heater.

On the issue of noise, an air source heat pump operates at 40 - 60 decibels and is less obtrusive than light traffic.  Discrete unit location away from an windows likely to be opened should mitigate any impact, especially in winter when you install your temporary secondary glazing.

If I can throw something else into the mix - battery energy storage can make a significant cost saving to commercial rate electricity users such as our Meeting Houses and might be worth adding to your planned building improvements.
Kind regards,
Martin Lacey

Meeting House Manager
Norwich Quaker Meeting House
Upper Goat Lane
Norwich
NR2 1EW

01603 624854 Weekdays 9 - 1
07857 167322
On 01/01/2024 22:37, Richard Marler wrote:

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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