Wedding guests at St Mary’s, Embsay had a warm, green welcome recently, thanks to a newly installed eco-friendly heating system that was switched on for the first time.
The old gas boiler had been turned off and the new Zero Carbon system of underpew heating and wall mounted FAR infra-red units worked wonderfully, said Revd Canon Marion Russell.
“On its very first use for a wedding, the guests asked for part of the heating to be turned off as it was becoming too warm!” Revd Marion said.
“This gives us assurance of the effectiveness for cold weather ahead.”
St Mary’s ‘Cut the Carbon’ project has been running for more than two years and it is committed to try to reach net zero by 2025, ahead of the Church of England’s target.
“Our biggest source of carbon emissions by far was found to be our gas boiler, which emitted 10 tonnes of carbon each year. We therefore decided to replace this with a zero-carbon heating system, powered by electricity sourced through Green Journey, the ‘green electricity’ supplier endorsed by the Diocese of Leeds,” said Revd Marion (pictured).
She said this goal has been made possible through a collaboration between local people, together with diocesan advice and support, plus substantial external fundraising.
Diocesan Advisory Committee Secretary Lisa McIntyre offered her congratulations: “It’s brilliant to see this heating upgrade is proving so effective for the church. The people at St Mary’s have been so dedicated to finding a heating solution that would meet the needs of the building users while reducing the church’s carbon footprint.
“It’s been a pleasure supporting people who have been so enthusiastic in their environmental mission and desire to engage others in their journey – both in seeking advice from the DAC and their architect throughout and in sharing their learning with other churches with similar ambitions.”
Revd Marion thanked all those involved in this successful project: “I am deeply grateful for everyone – within the congregation and in all our various partners – who have addressed the considerable practicalities of this vision and made it possible here. God’s work of ongoing creation is seen in people, in things, and in vision and targets – a BIG THANK YOU!”