A biomass boiler almost halves the energy bills of a village church

When the old oil boiler was condemned at Church of the Epiphany Austwick (Diocese of Leeds), they took the decision to replace it with a biomass boiler. The rural church, located within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, is now able to run its heating on wood-pellet fuel. Choosing a biomass boiler had the advantage of allowing the existing wet central heating infrastructure could remain in place, so additional new hardware with 'embodied carbon' was not needed. 

The project incurred a relatively high upfront cost, which was covered by the combination of grant money, the sale of the old oil tank, and the church's own fundraising. However, due to the reduced energy bills the church is now faced with, it is hoped that the high costs will be offset in the long term. 

Austwick Church of the Epiphany from the road

Read the Case Study below.