Church makes huge savings on energy bills thanks to net zero transformation

Spearheaded by church volunteer Christine Rigden, (pictured, below) a 50-strong solar panel array was installed late last year on the roof of the south aisle of All Saints in Bedworth, Warwickshire.

This has meant the average monthly electricity bill of £500 was only £88 in April this year. The church predicts reducing its carbon savings by 22% with a predicted saving of 5 tonnes of carbon thanks to the solar panel installation.

And over 25 years - the guaranteed minimum lifespan of the solar panels - and with the church’s initial investment of £19,000, the church is predicted to save over £155,170.

Christine, who was the project lead, said, “We are thankful for the solar panels and battery that will help us to rely less on burning stuff; for the grants to pay for everything; and for a chance to be, in any way we can, part of the solution and not just part of the problem."

Now, the church has become a Church of England Demonstrator Church, helping other churches to learn about how they might become more energy efficient.

Why will this make a difference? Because “it feels like God is doing so much here,” said Christine. That includes three Sunday services, a People’s Pantry, as well as youth work and outreach, a warm hub and an Alpha course.

Christine says it’s another practical demonstration of the Christian faith: “I think this says that we mean business. We need to tackle our carbon emissions. It’s an important thing for the environment and our future.”

It’s also an important thing for the community. The money saved on electricity bills "could now fund youth work." Plus, the church no longer has the stress of paying high electricity bills.

The church has installed LED lights, draft excluders around external doors, timers for hot water, insulation in loft space, secondary glazing in offices, a more efficient fridge and freezer, and established better heating schedules. 

But it doesn’t end there, Christine said, “I’m glad we have taken this forward. It’s good. But next, we have to do the heating.”

A longer version of this story can be found here.