And What Actually Works (ASTECtherm Perspective)

Historic and modern places of worship are beautiful, significant buildings — but they share a major challenge: keeping people warm efficiently. High ceilings, stone walls, draughty openings, and huge internal volumes make churches notoriously difficult to heat. Traditional systems simply aren’t designed for these spaces, and the results are predictable. 

The Problem with Traditional Heating

1. Traditional Systems Heat Air — Not People

Radiators, boilers, warm air blowers, and convection heaters work by warming the air. In a church, warm air rises immediately toward high ceilings and stays there. People sitting below still feel cold while heat accumulates where it’s not needed. This process — called stratification — wastes energy and comfort. 

2. Large, Open, Uninsulated Spaces Lose Heat Fast

Churches were built long before modern insulation standards. Thick stone walls and vast air volumes absorb and lose heat rapidly. Doorways and windows open frequently, letting warm air escape. Trying to heat all that air with a traditional system means running it for hours before a service even starts — and still not feeling warm. 

3. Heating Is Slow and Wasteful

Traditional systems take a long time to build up heat. Radiators and boilers may need 1–3 hours to make a church feel even vaguely comfortable — and then much of that heat disappears as soon as services end. Churches are often used intermittently, so heating this way wastes energy and money. 

4. Forced-Air Systems Disrupt Worship

Hot air blowers and fan heaters might warm the space faster, but they come with noise, draft issues, dust circulation, and visual intrusion. These characteristics are poorly suited to quiet services, choir performances, and reflective spaces. 

5. Traditional Heating Can Hurt Heritage Interiors

Radiators, pipes, ducts, and vents alter historic interiors visually and physically. Many listed churches face restrictions on where fixtures can be installed, and visible heating equipment can detract from the architecture and atmosphere. 

What Actually Works

Heat the People and Surfaces, Not the Air

Instead of wasting energy warming vast volumes of air, the most effective solutions focus on direct radiant heat — the heat you feel when sunlight hits your skin. Radiant systems warm people, pews, floors, and surfaces where it matters, not the empty air above them. 

Radiant heating delivers warmth instantly into the occupied zone. It reduces heat loss to high ceilings and keeps energy bills down because you heat only where you need it.

ASTECtherm Solutions for Church Heating

At ASTECtherm we specialise in heating systems designed to meet the unique challenges of large volume spaces like churches:

Infrared Heating

Infrared (radiant) heating warms people and surfaces directly without relying on air temperature. It works quickly, runs quietly, and keeps running costs lower than traditional air-based systems. It is ideal for:

• High vaulted ceilings

• Intermittent use buildings

• Heritage interiors where minimal intrusion is critical

Infrared units can be mounted discreetly on ceilings or high walls and blend into historic architecture.

Water Underfloor Heating (Where Suitable)

In some churches, underfloor heating — especially when installed with careful insulation and zoned controls — delivers steady, even warmth at ground level. It removes the need for visible radiators and supports modern heat sources like heat pumps.

Zoned Controls

Churches often have areas used differently throughout the week. ASTECtherm systems can be zoned so only the pew areas, chapel wings, or community rooms get heat when needed, reducing waste.

The Takeaway

Traditional heating systems struggle in churches because:

• They heat air that rises away from occupants

• They are slow and expensive to run

• They clash with heritage requirements

By focusing on radiant solutions that heat people and surfaces directly, churches can achieve:

• Faster warm-up

• Lower energy bills

• More comfort where it’s needed

• Quiet, unobtrusive installations

Talk to ASTECtherm

If you’re responsible for a church or place of worship and want a heating solution that works, we can help.

📧 Email your plans and usage patterns to: hello@astectherm.com
📞 Call us: 0333 5772 455

We’ll assess your space and recommend the most suitable heating system — whether that’s radiant infrared panels, underfloor heating, or a hybrid solution tailored to your building and congregation.