Top 5 Church Heating Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Heating a church isn't just about raising the temperature. It’s about doing it in a way that preserves the building, keeps costs down, and delivers comfort when and where it’s needed. Unfortunately, many churches continue to make the same critical mistakes with their heating systems, wasting money and risking long-term damage to valuable heritage interiors.

In this guide, we highlight the five most common church heating errors and show you exactly how to avoid them. Whether you're replacing an old system, restoring a historic chapel, or heating a multipurpose worship space, this could save you thousands each year.

Mistake 1: Using Convection Heating in Large, High Spaces

Most churches were never designed for modern heating. They feature:

• Stone walls and poor insulation

• High vaulted ceilings

• Large open spaces with low occupancy

• Doors that frequently open to the outside

Traditional convection systems rely on heating the air. In churches, this heated air quickly rises to the ceiling, leaving the occupied area cold and wasting huge amounts of energy. Radiators, underfloor systems, and warm air blowers struggle to perform well in these environments.

Why This Fails

• Long warm-up times mean energy is wasted before anyone even arrives

• Warm air escapes through windows, walls, or into the void above

• The congregation feels cold despite high energy usage

• Large temperature swings can lead to condensation and damp

How to Fix It

Switch to infrared heating, which warms people and surfaces directly instead of the air. With infrared, warmth is felt within minutes and it remains at occupant level rather than rising to the roof.

Learn more about infrared for churches

Mistake 2: Heating the Entire Church Every Time

Another common problem is trying to heat the whole church, even when only a small portion is being used. This happens during midweek services, small weddings, prayer meetings, or choir rehearsals when a single chapel or zone is in use.

Why This Fails

• High energy consumption for unnecessary areas

• Increased wear on systems due to overuse

• Users feel frustrated at slow warm-up or inconsistent comfort

• Greater risk of hot and cold zones within the same space

How to Fix It

Install a heating system that allows zone control. Infrared heating is ideal for this. You can:

• Heat only the pews or altar

• Set different temperatures in different sections

• Schedule use based on service or activity patterns

• Control zones individually via smart thermostats or mobile apps

This provides greater efficiency and helps preserve sensitive materials by avoiding thermal shock to the whole building.

Mistake 3: Choosing a System Without Heritage Sensitivity

Many churches are listed or sit within conservation zones. Installing traditional radiators, pipes, or ductwork often involves visible alterations to walls, floors, or ceilings. These changes can be difficult or even prohibited under planning regulations.

Why This Fails

• Visual impact disrupts the historic fabric of the church

• May require costly or time-consuming planning permission

• Can negatively affect the resale or funding eligibility of the building

• Heritage authorities may reject or reverse installations

How to Fix It

Choose aesthetic, low-impact heating systems. Infrared heaters are slim, quiet, and can be installed discreetly on ceilings or beams without the need for structural alterations.

Look for:

• Colour-matched units

• Flush-mounted ceiling panels

• Slimline designs that blend with the architecture

• IP-rated units for concealed locations

We recommend Heritage Bar Heaters for this purpose. They deliver strong heat with minimal visual disruption.

Mistake 4: Ignoring Long-Term Operating Costs

Many churches make the mistake of focusing only on the installation cost, without thinking about how much the system will cost to run over time. While traditional gas or oil systems may seem affordable upfront, they often come with higher energy bills and ongoing maintenance.

Why This Fails

• Fuel prices fluctuate and are often unpredictable

• Boilers require annual servicing

• Repairs and callouts can become costly

• Usage is difficult to track and optimise

How to Fix It

Assess the total cost of ownership, not just the upfront price. With infrared, you get:

• Zero maintenance

• Long product lifespan

• Instant heat and no warm-up lag

• Precise energy control and usage monitoring

Infrared systems typically reduce energy bills by 30 to 60 percent in heritage buildings compared to convection systems.

Mistake 5: Using Fixed Timers Without Flexibility

Church events do not always follow the same pattern every week. Relying on manual timers or static schedules leads to wasted heat, forgotten switch-offs, and poor efficiency.

Why This Fails

• Systems run when nobody is present

• Services or events may start late or get cancelled

• Building managers struggle to optimise settings

• Heating is often left on unnecessarily

How to Fix It

Install smart thermostat controls with remote access. These allow you to:

• Schedule heat around real usage patterns

• Adjust settings remotely via smartphone or tablet

• Set zones independently for weekday vs weekend use

• Monitor energy use over time and optimise accordingly

Our WiFi-enabled control systems help churches take back control of their heating, reduce energy waste, and improve user comfort.

Bonus Tip: Size the System Correctly

Many churches either under-specify or overspend on heating systems that are not suited to the building size or layout. Getting this wrong can reduce comfort, increase running costs, or waste your budget.

What to Do Instead

Use a Wattage Calculator to calculate the right output based on:

• Room size and ceiling height

• Insulation levels

• Expected usage time per week

• Layout and occupancy zones

A tailored approach results in better performance and lower long-term costs.

Summary: Avoiding These Mistakes Saves You Time and Money

Here is a quick recap of the top five church heating mistakes and their solutions:

By avoiding these common pitfalls, churches can create a comfortable, efficient, and sustainable environment that respects both heritage and modern expectations.