Shirley Parish Church, near Ashbourne in Derbyshire, has achieved its goal of creating a more sustainable energy system, after members of the Parochial Parish Council set about transforming the building. Parts of the church date back to the 14th Century, when comfort was not a high priority. The current parishioners however wanted a comfortable, warm space, which has a low-carbon footprint and is financially sustainable.

They approached Sheffield-based Coefficient Renewable Heating Solutions, a Danfoss-approved installation company, to recommend a heat pump system for the building, which previously relied on inefficient, and often ineffective, electric radiant tube heaters.

Andrew Hubble, Systems Engineer, said: “Air source heat pumps were the ideal choice for Shirley Parish Church. The Church can now be kept warm throughout the year, and the church council can be assured that they are doing their bit for the environment by reducing the building’s carbon footprint.”

The Church has been undergoing renovation for the past five years, and has been given £250,000 funding from various sources, including grants from The Big Lottery Fund and Derbyshire Dales District Council, and donations from the general public.

The traditional stone-built Church now has under floor heating in one area, high output radiators under the pews and in other areas, and solar PV panels on parts of the roof. An insulated ceiling will complete the renovations, and provide the Church with optimum conditions for the heat pump to perform.

John Fletcher, Treasurer to the PPC, the Church Council which runs the building, said: “Before we had a heat pump installed we were only able to heat the Church once a week, on a Sunday, for the six months of winter. Now we heat the building from 6am – 10pm everyday of the year, and it makes for a much more comfortable space – we have even noticed a rise in numbers of people attending our services!”

John added: “Our aim is to give a moral message for the use of energy, and to create a financially stable building that will serve us for many years to come.”

Chris Dale, of Danfoss, said: “Many buildings in ‘off-gas’ areas are installing heat pumps, as they provide a sustainable, affordable heat system. Shirley Parish Church is a great example of this, and we are pleased to have been able to help them to create a more comfortable space, that is inexpensive to run.”
The DHP-AQ air source heat pump has a compact, modern design so it fits perfectly with historic buildings where aesthetics are essential, and just as easily with contemporary, new build properties. The Church will also benefit from the market-leading seasonal performance of the pump, as it operates at temperatures as low as -20°C. It achieves this via a unique system which constantly controls and optimises three key parameters in the product: airflow (efficient variable speed EC fan), the refrigerant circuit (electronic expansion valve) and heat distribution (OPTI technology).