URC Hoole, Chester: A Journey into Far‑Infrared Heating
Infrared Heating
When the congregation at URC Hoole in Chester gathered to discuss how best to heat their busy community spaces, the conversation turned to sustainability, practicality, and cost. Their main hall, a hub for post‑service tea and coffee and a welcoming venue for local groups, was in need of a solution that balanced comfort with responsibility.
Discovering a Different Kind of Warmth
Far‑infrared heating offered something refreshingly different. Unlike traditional convection heaters that warm the air, these emit invisible wavelengths that directly heat people and objects. The science was simple but powerful:
• No wasted warmth. Draughts and convection currents no longer carried heat away.
• Focused comfort. Only the areas in use absorbed the energy, allowing zonal heating that felt efficient and intentional.
The team likened it to a pinball machine, with far‑infrared energy bouncing from surface to surface until absorbed, a playful metaphor for a serious innovation.
Counting the Savings
After a year of use, the numbers told their own story.
• A 24 percent reduction in electricity costs, saving around £400 annually.
• A 114 kg reduction in carbon emissions, shrinking the church’s footprint.
With five heaters installed at a cost of £4,750, the payback period was estimated at 12 years.
Choosing Infrared Over Heat Pumps
While heat pumps promised larger savings, the church opted for infrared heaters for practical reasons.
• Lower upfront costs, thousands instead of tens of thousands.
• Ease of installation, no pipes, pumps, or complex systems.
• Minimal maintenance, no annual servicing contracts.
It was a choice that reflected not just economics, but also simplicity and resilience.
Come and Feel the Difference
Paul Spencer, one of the church members closely involved in the decision, recalls visiting St Salisbury Park URC in Wrexham to see their thermostatically controlled infrared heaters in action. “It was important to experience the warmth ourselves before committing,” he explained. “We wanted to be sure this wasn’t just numbers on a page but something that genuinely worked for people.”
Inspired by that visit, URC Hoole chose a simpler model with straightforward on/off and high/low settings. The result has been a hall that feels welcoming, warm, and efficient, a space where community life can thrive without the burden of high costs or heavy maintenance.
Visitors are warmly invited to step inside and experience the difference for themselves.
A Herschel Summit 2600W far‑infrared heater now hangs proudly in the main hall.
For more details, see the informational video: HERSCHEL Infrared Heating – The Smart Route to Net Zero Heating.