This Grade 2 Listed 670m2 building had major work done to it in 2000 when the nave had a partition installed to create a foyer with kitchen, office, toilet and community meeting facilities on the main entrance side leaving the Sanctuary as a traditional worship space.
The floor was modified and underfloor heating installed with a new boiler and zoned distribution network in 2003. The system was intended to allow for future conversion of the balcony into small meeting rooms. The heating in the Sanctuary proved to be inadequate with temperatures not reaching 13oC when outside temperatures are -1oC or less which can occur quite frequently on this exposed hilltop site.
After we surveyed the premises and did some calculations it became apparent that the underfloor system could not offset the heat loss at design conditions in the Sanctuary and Chancel. Rather than install more heat emitters we recommended reducing the heat losses by installing 150mm thermal insulation in the roof void and installing low surface temperature electric radiators under the large Sanctuary windows to reduce cold radiation and downdraught discomfort to occupants sitting near them. These would only need to be used during services. A further recommendation was to install improved radiant type heaters in the entrance foyer to overcome the effects of cold west winds blowing in the entrance doors in winter months.
