Herschel Infrared 2024 (UK) Heritage Brochure

Heritage Heating Range 2024

Sustainable radiant heating solutions for churches and heritage buildings in the transition to Net Zero www.herschel-infrared.co.uk

Why Herschel Infrared?

In February 2020, the Church of England brought forward its net zero emissions target to 2030. The opportunity to identify areas for reducing energy usage, across circa 16,000 churches, is significant. Given that 72% of the energy consumed by any church is typically used in heating the building, choosing the correct heating solution will be vital in meeting this target.

The need to manage energy consumption applies across all religions and denominations and all heritage and historical buildings.

Herschel Infrared provides the perfect heating solution for churches and heritage buildings. The Heritage range has been specially designed to fit and preserve the heritage aesthetic whilst heating people comfortably, affordably, and efficiently.

The Church of England Environment Programme commissioned Tobit Curteis Associates and Inspired Efficiency to carry out a Performance Review of Halo at St Matthew’s in Bristol. Findings include:

‘The Halo system appears to be a suitable addition to the range of decarbonised heating solutions for churches to consider.’

‘Significant energy, carbon and cost savings were noted’.

‘The congregation of St Matthew’s Church were unanimously positive regarding the visual appearance of the units’.

Improved Efficiency

Unlike convection heating, which heats the air, radiant heating is highly controllable meaning it can directly heat people in the areas where they need to be heated. Targeting the heating in this way, and creating precise zones, can lead to significant savings on energy consumption and costs.

Simpler Installation, Zero Servicing, Long Life

Simpler, quicker, less disruptive and far cheaper to install than alternatives such as heat pumps. Our heritage heaters have no servicing requirement, utilising long life, solid state components with no moving parts, and have been designed so that the ceramic elements can be easily replaced, if required.

Improved Comfort

Radiant heat creates a very natural and pleasant feeling of warmth, at a wavelength similar to the energy emitted by humans. This gently warms occupiers to deliver improved comfort, at a more consistent and comfortable temperature. The Halo can deliver fast warm-up times for occupiers, with very little pre-heating requirement - ‘pre-heat timing reducing from 3 hours for the gas/radiator system to 30 minutes for the Halo system’. (Note: warm-up times may vary).

Preservation of Historic Interiors

The Halo has been purpose-built by Herschel for churches, beautifully designed to complement and protect the historic aesthetic. ‘With careful positioning, the chandelier design of the Halo can provide comfort heating for people in the church while limiting the conservation risk to sensitive artefacts and monuments’.

Highly Controllable

Delivering the ultimate flexibility in control, our radiant heating systems are simple to operate, ensuring the right people and spaces are heated at the right times with no wasted energy. We design and manufacture our own APX control system, tailored to your own requirements to include variable power levels, multi-zone thermostat, timer, remote App control and motion detection, as required. There is flexibility to only heat the areas you need to use.

UK Manufactured

With our state of the art production facility based in Bristol we source our materials from within the UK, where possible, and provide a tailored design service for our clients. Our commitment to quality, service and to reducing our carbon footprint extends from our material sourcing, using British made steel, to our offering of bespoke decorative finishes and colours to our afterservice assistance and care.

Performance Review of Halo at St Matthew’s in Bristol, by Tobit Curteis Associates and Inspired Efficiency

Image shows Herschel UK Production Facility

Running times will be impacted by airflow, ambient temperatures and how the areas are used. Dependent upon the property age/type, insulation levels and levels of airflow present, the number of heaters required and running times will vary.

Heritage Specification Service

With significant experience in heating heritage buildings and hard to heat spaces, Herschel’s Heritage team has unrivalled expertise to deliver heating specifications for different spaces. With the largest range of infrared heating solutions on the market, our team can provide a bespoke recommendation for all requirements.

Using the latest technology, we offer both desktop and on-site surveys (including 3D scans of your church) to create a tailored heating specification.

We can provide accurate visual representations incorporating scale images of heaters within the 3D scans, illustrating the heating zones provided by the Halo heaters.

We will assist with DAC applications, preparing in-depth proposal packages to answer the majority of their questions and will continue to provide support throughout the process.

We can recommend a number of qualified installers and will happily assist them with their queries to ensure a smooth and easy installation.

Meeting Net Zero Climate Targets

Our heating solutions provide the quickest and simplest way to decarbonise heating and achieve net zero - simply switch to a green energy tariff or combine with renewables.

Halo - the Route to Net Zero

Following extensive research and development, the radiant Halo heater has been created with a stunning chandelier-style design, ideal for heritage buildings.

With powerful, zero light, far infrared heat emitters, the UK manufactured Halo offers a highly controllable, effective and decorative heating solution that is acceptable to conservation bodies. The Halo is accompanied by the Halo Horizon, Under Pew heaters and Herschel’s bespoke APX control system to provide a complete heating system for all church and heritage spaces.

Our team of specialist, in-house surveyors can advise on how the Heritage range can provide a whole church heating solution or provide a modular solution to work alongside existing heating systems.

A Solar Future

The integration of renewable energy in historic and heritage buildings will allow a substantial amount of their power requirement to be produced on site. With clever management alongside night-time tariffs, usage can be balanced to future proof costs and deliver a sustainable future. Our system can automatically use solar to heat the church if enough electricity is being generated.

“Come 2030, the Church of England may or may not have achieved Net Zero carbon. I hope it will be well on its way. One thing that is absolutely certain is that this initiative would have made a huge difference. We’ll look back at today and realise that this, here, all of this Halo, this facility, and this initiative was a game-changer in our collective response to climate change.”

Simon Pugh-Jones RIBA, Chair of Bristol Diocesan Advisory Committee, Contributor to the Church of England’s Route Map to Net Zero.

Image shows 4 x Halo heaters with Decorative Panels and LED Lights

Virtual floor plan available

Image shows 4 x Halo heaters with Standard Panels and LED Lights

Heated Zones visualisation available

Heritage Range

Maintenance free, Herschel Infrared heaters have no hazardous components and are highly recyclable. Delivering fast warm up times and the ultimate flexibility in control, our heritage heating range can be specified to either heat entire buildings or, alternatively, heat occupants in defined bubbles within large spaces.

Significant reductions in energy consumption can be achieved from using the Herschel Halo heaters. The ceiling-mounted Halo heaters radiate warmth directly over the congregation and typically only need to be on for a short time before, and throughout, the duration of the service. In comparison, a gas or oil system would typically have to run on full for many hours before a service to heat the church, as would heat pumps.

Heating for Every Space

In addition to our revolutionary Halo chandelier heater, the zero light Herschel Heritage range also includes the Halo Horizon and our Under Pew heaters.

The Horizon maintains the bespoke heritage aesthetic with its decorative design and finish. Its long design facilitates column, ceiling-suspension and wall mounting and is ideal for side aisles, chancels and lower ceilinged spaces such as choir galleries. Both Halo and Horizon incorporate the very best components and finishings, including a nickel-plated grill to deliver full protection against corrosion.

Herschel Under Pew heaters provide additional warmth for those churches seeking an under pew solution. Using the gentle waveband of far infrared heat, the low power heaters create localised bubbles of warmth to deliver a more efficient solution than traditional under pew heating solutions. Control systems provide the ultimate flexibility to enable individual pews to be heated, as required, saving energy.

Decorative Designs and Colours

The Halos and Horizons come in a black, gold, or bronze colour finish as standard. Optional bespoke colours and decorative designs are also available (examples below), please discuss with the Heritage Team.

Decorative Cross Finish

Black Gold

Bronze

Trinity Clover

Halo

The far infrared chandelier heater designed specifically for historical buildings

Key features:

• 7800W, 4800W

• Zero light heater with optional LED lighting

• UK manufactured with British made steel

• Optional bespoke decorative designs

• Built to last a lifetime

• Far infrared preserves historic interiors

• Nickel-plated grill

• 5 Year Warranty

Registered UK Design No. 6321585

Halo Horizon

Beautifully hand-crafted and discreet to fit the heritage aesthetic, alongside the Halo

Key features:

• 3200W, 2600W

• Zero light heater

• UK manufactured with British made steel

• Built to last a lifetime

• Ceiling suspension and wall mounting

• Far infrared preserves historic interiors

• Nickel-plated grill

• 5 Year Warranty

Under Pew Heaters

Efficient, gentle comfort for under pews

Key features:

• 450W, 250W

• UK manufactured with British made steel

• Highly efficient Swift Comfort Plus System

• Freestanding or Pew mounting options

• Ornate safety grill

• Includes a Herschel Smart Switch

• 10 Year Warranty

Bespoke APX Control System

As part of our Heritage Specification Service, our team will specify an APX Control system which will be tailored to suit the requirements of the church, in terms of heating zones and operational management of the Halo system.

Optional solutions include variable power levels, WiFi-enabled App control for remote access, timer control and motion sensors, energy monitoring plus integration to solar and Building Management Systems.

Case Studies

St Matthew’s Church, Bristol, UK

St Matthew’s Church was looking for an electric heating solution to transition away from fossil fuels, aligning with the Church of England’s net-zero carbon goal by 2030. Their objective was to heat the congregation comfortably in their spacious, historic nave. The solution: 4 x Halo 7.8kW heaters, custom-designed to blend seamlessly with the heritage aesthetics while preserving the building’s interior.

The feedback from St Matthew’s has been fantastic; from the congregation and the Treasurer, as well as the findings from the independent performance review commissioned by the Church of England. Unlike their previous gas heating, the Halos allowed them to heat the space just minutes before the service, costing only £10 for a Sunday morning worship, and resulting in significant energy savings. The aesthetic of the Halo fits beautifully within the interior of St Matthew’s, the congregation has enjoyed the comfort and substantial carbon reduction has been achieved. As a result, St Matthew’s are extending the installation of Herschel’s radiant heaters to other areas within the church. St

Alte Friedhofskapelle, Meerane, Germany

The first Halo installation in Europe, this beautiful chapel in Germany was looking for an electric heating solution which effortlessly blends into the chapel’s aesthetics.

A 7.8kW Halo heater with LED lighting was installed in the chapel. The Halo blends perfectly into the stunning interior, providing a sustainable form of heating.

All Saints’ Church, Martock, UK

All Saints’ Church in Martock, Somerset, faced a heating challenge while aiming to meet the Church of England’s Net Zero Carbon Initiative by 2030. Traditional options like gas boilers and heat pumps were either impractical or environmentally unfriendly. To address this, the Church turned to Herschel Infrared for an ecofriendly and efficient heating solution.

The Herschel Halo, seamlessly integrated into the Lady Chapel, providing both warmth and lighting, making it the perfect choice. Herschel’s zonal heating approach aligned with their need for energy efficiency and cost savings. The Heritage Team’s thorough survey and planning, along with the hassle-free installation, ensured the church’s heating needs were met while preserving its historic charm. The Church are now looking to install Herschel Heritage heaters throughout other areas of the interior.

“The Halo design has been absolutely fantastic. That’s been the thing that sold it to us. It looks like it belongs in a building of this age and the proof of that has been that when people come in, they hardly notice that it’s there, which is fantastic. It fits beautifully. The aesthetic is good. It looks good and it’s got light in it as well as heat, so it serves a dual purpose of lighting quite a dark chapel. And for that purpose, it’s just ticked all the boxes for us.”

Reverend Paul Fillery, All Saints’ Church, Martock

Performance Review of Halo at St Matthew’s in Bristol, by Tobit Curteis Associates and Inspired Efficiency †

St Matthew’s

All Saint’s

Alte Friedhofskapelle †

Frequently Asked Questions

How effective is Herschel’s Heritage Range at heating people when sat for long periods of time? Can these be used for heating churches in regular use?

Our Heritage Range of heaters can be used to heat people effectively and comfortably regardless of the duration the warmth is required for. Feedback from an installation of Halo heaters at St Matthew’s Church is that the Halo provides very good levels of comfort which St Matthew’s characterise as ‘better than we ever had from the radiators’ and they describe the actual effect to feeling like a ‘bubble of heat’ – to the point that they note it ‘doesn’t feel like it’s actually coming from the heaters themselves’.

Halo will work very well for churches that are in regular use. As an example, St Matthew’s is in regular, daily use and they run the Halo heating in exactly the same way as one would turn on the lighting. They have confirmed that Halo is switched on only as and when required, and when the use is occurring. Within 10 minutes they have their required comfort – with no need for background heating at other times. (Note: warm-up times may vary).

Do I have to have all the heaters on at the same time to make them work?

No, you do not need to have all the heaters on at the same time for them to work. Herschel’s Heritage range is designed to be operated individually or in zones, depending on how and when the space is being used, and this ensures that the heaters are run in the most cost-efficient way.

How warm will the church be?

With sufficient heaters we can heat the entire church. However, this is unlikely to be the most cost-effective way of heating as it will consume a high amount of energy, especially in older, poorly insulated churches that were never built to be heated. For churches with less frequent use “Sunday Churches” and those that are rarely fully occupied, by far the most cost effective method will be to provide zones or “bubbles” of heat focused on the area in use. For example the main nave. Other areas not in use can remain unheated. People will be directly warmed by the heaters when they are within proximity of the infrared heater and often, a shorter pre-heat time is needed to take the chill off the area. The feeling of thermal comfort will be affected by cold air but the radiant heat will provide a good level of comfort for people within the heated area. We usually aim for “real feel” temperatures (the temperature you perceive) of between 1719°C unless higher comfort levels are required.

If the church is investing in solar, our APX system can automatically provide background heating for the building when electricity is being generated from the solar PV. This can be a useful way of raising the overall internal temperature of the church at nil cost, and zero CO2, and will reduce the demand for heating during services. Our systems will also work with smart “time of use” tariffs from energy providers (such as cheap overnight rates). It is important to understand that currently the daytime electricity rate is around 3 times more expensive per kilowatt of energy than fossil fuels. This will change in the future but in the meantime, as we transition to net zero, heating bills will be higher if switching from a gas / oil boiler unless the new infrared heating system is used differently to traditional ways of heating and occupants’ expectations levels are managed. Control, zoning and the placement/heights of the heaters are crucial to a successful installation and energy efficiency.

What technology does the Halo range use and how does this differ from other radiant space heaters?

The technology used within the Halo range of heaters is far infrared. This is different from the technology used by other more ‘traditional radiant heaters’ from other providers, which have typically used shortwave infrared technology. The feeling of comfort from far infrared is a much more gentle feeling of warmth, ideal for the heating of people. We use the analogy of watering a tender plant with a hose. The old technology is akin to the hose being on ‘jet’, highly targeted, whereas the technology in Halo is akin to the hose being on ‘fine mist’ – everything gets gently wetted (or gently and comfortably heated).

Can the Halo range damage the fabric of the interior or valuable objects and artefacts or cause delicate surfaces to expand?

No, there is no risk of damage from the Halo range. The radiant wavelength is similar to that which humans radiate, and the measurable surface temperatures are no greater than they would be through human contact. The feeling of heat is similar to that of the heat of the sun through a window and there is no additional risk of differential expansion than that. (Conversely, this has previously been a risk from using quartz ray/shortwave IR type heaters and is also true of radiators).

Is installation of the Halo range disruptive and do you need specialists to install it?

Our Heritage heaters can be installed by qualified commercial electricians, providing a non-intrusive installation for building managers with no skills shortage issues.

Do I have to install heaters in all areas at the same time or can I phase installation?

You have the flexibility to phase the installation of heaters in different areas. Herschel heaters can be installed in stages, allowing you to prioritise certain areas or zones within your church or heritage building. This phased approach can be beneficial for managing costs and ensuring that you address the heating needs of specific spaces first. Herschel’s modular and customisable solutions make it easy to plan and implement phased installations that best suit your requirements and budget.

Will the Halo chandelier heaters frazzle heads and freeze feet?

No they will not. The Halo emitters use far infrared technology and are completely different to the old quartz ray emitters that were previously common for this type of application. The effect felt from far infrared is a gentle feeling of comfort and this was specifically tested with occupiers at St Matthew’s – no frazzle of heads or cold feet was detected.

Does Halo qualify under the Listed Places of Worship Scheme?

Yes absolutely. Under the scheme listed churches can claim a grant in lieu of VAT, and thus significantly reduce the net capital cost in installation.

Are there any maintenance requirements?

Our Heritage heaters have no moving parts and require no servicing, unlike heat pumps and boilers. This represents a significant cost saving over the lifetime of the heating system versus alternative solutions.