The Energy Costs Grant will be distributed to dioceses to enable them to help Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) cover the increased cost of heating and lighting church buildings this winter.
Dioceses will also be able to use some of their fund allocation to make additional targeted hardship payments for clergy and other employed ministers to cover household bills, in particular energy costs.
Reducing your church energy bills
While rises in energy bills are inevitable this winter, we hope these tips and suggestions will help churches use less energy and keep their energy bills under control:
- The Cathedral and Church Buildings Division has prepared practical suggestions to help parishes save energy and money. You can download either the print version or interactive version.
- This webinar recording on 'housekeeping and quick wins' discusses a range of ideas for reducing energy usage. Come along to the live webinar on Monday 14 November, 4-5pm (register here) and Monday 28 November, 4-5pm (register here) to ask questions and hear up-to-date guidance.
- The Church of England Environment programme offers a wide range of tools, case studies, webinars and videos to help churches reduce their carbon footprint. Many of these measures will also reduce their energy bills.
- You can also purchase things to help you with this from Parish Buying - Net Zero 2030. Products offered include solar panels, pew heaters, heat pumps and LED light bulbs. Guidance sheets are also provided to cover the questions parishes need answered before they approach a supplier.
- Parish Buying members can have a subsidised Parish Buying - Energy Audit which gives them £100 off the cost of an audit and typically offers around 25% reduction in energy costs.
- There was a webinar earlier this month which outlined the specific reasons why churches should use the Parish Buying service in their route to Net Zero. This is now available as a recording.
- The Energy Basket offers 100% green electricity Parish Buying - Energy Basket.
- ChurchCare also produces information for churches on how to be more energy efficient.
Advice for meeting clergy household energy bills
This page on help with increases in everyday bills, written by the Pensions Board, is focussed on individuals, prepared with pensioners in mind but some aspects will help with clergy and lay workers.
Earlier this year, the Church of England announced that it would make additional funding available to help clergy, and others involved in ministry and mission locally, with rising costs. For more details as to what help is available locally within the Church, please get in touch with your Diocese.
