Methods employed by the project
A self-adhesive foam, in suitable colours, available on-line and approved for use in medieval churches was applied around ancient wooden doors large and small, and a dark brown leatherette material was used to make “skirting” along the bottom of the doors to replace worn skirting already in place. Unused keyholes were filled with non-damaging, easily removable materials.
Door insulation was further fortified along the floor by “sausage” draught-excluders made from existing sausage cushions enlarged with towels and an outer wadding layer, then covered in leatherette for ease of cleaning. Extra curtains were added, all made largely from recycled and re-used materials by stitchers from our congregation. Huge extra thermal curtains were made in situ in church and hung between the exterior wall and a velvet curtain in front of the tall, draughty West Door. Heavy curtains donated by a local company have been hung in the stairwells connecting to the roof – and previously to the elements.
Almost all the lighting has been changed to LED bulbs with plans to place timed spotlights on the tower and spire.
The overall cost amounted to about £300, much of which was the purchase of the fabric and pole for the inner curtains of the West Door.
Meticulous monthly recording of energy usage over the past few years has demonstrated reductions in both gas and electricity and our recent formal energy audit showed that we use 79% less electricity and 22% less gas than an average church of the same size, despite the fact that 45% of the total façade is single-glazed windows, compared to only 9% for the average church.
Our overall energy use has been reduced by 40%.
The project completed in December 2023.
