St Peter and St Paul church, Fareham

Project Overview

St Peter and St Paul Church, a cherished Grade II listed building in the heart of Fareham, needed a heating solution that could bring comfort to worshippers year-round - without compromising the building's architectural integrity. Traditional heating systems had proven inadequate for the church's large, open interior and high vaulted ceilings. Not only were they inefficient, but they also detracted from the aesthetic of the space.

The Challenge

Heating heritage buildings like St Peter and St Paul Church presents a number of practical difficulties. With high ceilings and open layouts, traditional heating methods often lead to stratification, where warm air rises and stays above the occupied space, leaving the congregation feeling cold.

The church is also built from solid stone and other dense materials, giving it a large thermal mass. These surfaces absorb heat slowly and release it gradually, meaning conventional systems take a long time to have any noticeable effect - and often at a high energy cost.

A more efficient and targeted solution was needed - one that could provide direct, responsive warmth to people in the space, without relying on heating the entire volume of air or the fabric of the building.

The Outcome

Since the installation of the nine Shadow Chandelier heaters, St Peter and St Paul Church has experienced improved comfort for the congregation, particularly during colder months. The heaters provide direct, efficient warmth to the people in the space, creating a welcoming atmosphere without heating the entire building.

The zoning feature has allowed the church to heat only the areas in use, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and helping the church move closer to its net zero goals. Overall, the new system has made the church more comfortable for services and events while being more energy-efficient and cost-effective.

Key Information:

Eight of the chandeliers were installed in the main nave, strategically placed to heat the congregation during services and events. These heaters focus heat directly on the people, ensuring that warmth is delivered where it's needed most - on the congregation - without wasting energy heating the air or surrounding space.
A ninth chandelier was installed in the Lady Chapel, providing targeted warmth for smaller groups and activities held in that area.
Each heater is zoned, allowing the church to control different areas of the building independently. This means that when smaller congregations gather or for more intimate services, only the relevant sections of the church need to be heated, maximising energy efficiency and reducing unnecessary heating costs.
This zoning capability allows the church to adapt to varying needs, whether for large congregations, special events, or more intimate gatherings.

Conclusion:

The installation of Shadow Industrial's Chandelier Heaters at St Peter and St Paul Church has not only enhanced comfort for the congregation but also preserved the church's architectural integrity. By combining discreet, effective heating with timeless design, the solution proves that heritage buildings needn't compromise on warmth or style. This project sets a benchmark for how modern innovation can sensitively support tradition.

Reducing climate-damaging emissions

Most companies today want to reduce or eliminate their net contribution to greenhouse gasses - but it can be hard to know where to begin.

What will have the most impact? One focus area for many organisations is their energy use and heating.

Gas-based systems are falling out of favour as they generate significant carbon emissions. Instead, many are turning to electric infrared heating as this offers the potential for zero emissions at the point of use if renewable energy is used to power them.

Infrared is a popular choice as it offers very high-efficiency ratings - up to 98% of energy is converted into heat. Additionally, heat isn't wasted as it can be focused on the areas that need it the most.