Church goes green as part of revamp
A GREEN heating system has been installed at Bisbrooke church as part of a £100,000 refurbishment project.
The transformed church is officially re-opening next month following the installation of a ground source heat pump, mains water and drainage, limestone flooring, underfloor heating, toilets and sink.
The new low carbon heating system uses heat from the sun which is stored in the earth and is expected to save seven and a half tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.
It works by pumping cold liquid through pipes buried underground which is then warmed by solar energy stored in the earth. At the surface a compressor raises the temperature to a level that can be used for underfloor heating.
The Rev Jane Baxter said: "We are looking forward to having a warm church because it was cold before, which didn't encourage people to come along.
"Renewable energy is the best way of using Creation in a way which doesn't cause problems for future generations. Making the best use of resources is becoming a priority for us all."
The 32,000 cost of the renewable energy project was met by 15,000 from the EDF Energy Green Fund, 9,092 from the Government's low carbon buildings programme, 5,000 from the Friends of Bisbrooke Church and 3,000 from Bisbrooke Millennium Fund.
Simon Armitage, treasurer of Bisbrooke Parochial Church Council, said: "The refurbishment of the church is the culmination of 10 years' work and a lot of the villagers have contributed money to the project over the last five years.
"The building has become not only a place of worship but a comfortable community facility. Apart from some boxes and pipes in the vestry, the ground source heat pump is totally invisible, which is perfect for a listed building."
Bisbrooke church was built in a Gothic style in 1871 on the site of a medieval church dating back to the 13th Century. The village has about 220 residents but has no community building so the church refurbishment has made it into a building which can be used for community activities as well as worship.
Find out more about the project at a church open evening on Saturday at 7pm.
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Monday 06 February 2012
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