Unusual funding idea after churches’ repairs blow

Posted 15/09/2025

Parishes forced to raise more money after the Government cut relief on church repairs this year have been given an unusual solution – reduce their energy bills to pay for the surprise bill.

“Installing infrared panel heaters is a relatively new way of heating buildings which can reduce costs by up to 70 per cent,” said Midlands green energy expert Ron Fox.

He was commenting on a report that churches across the country are struggling to pay for the upkeep of their historic buildings after the UK government reduced funding for the Listed Places of Worship (LPW) Grant Scheme, a programme that allows religious buildings to reclaim VAT on repair and maintenance work.

The Chancellor Rachel Reeve has also announced a new spending cap of £25,000 for individual claims in the Spring budget with the total annual allowance for the scheme having been cut by almost half from £43 million to £23 million.

The LPW scheme, in place since 2001, has provided financial support for the upkeep of listed religious buildings, many of which are centuries old and extremely costly to repair and maintain.

Church leaders have pleaded with the Government to commit more money towards the preservation of the UK’s world-class ecclesiastical buildings which are financially dependent on the generosity of often small congregations. They point out that countries such as Austria and Denmark levy opt-out church taxes on their citizens.

A cross-party Parliamentary debate led by Marsha de Cordova, MP for Battersea and Second Church Estates Commissioner, and John Glen, MP for Salisbury and South Wiltshire, heard of the ‘huge impact’ that the £25,000 limit on claims is having on 260 churches, including some cathedrals, where large scale repairs are under way or about to start.

Ms de Cordova called on the Government to make the Listed Places of Worship Grant scheme permanent, ending the uncertainty over its future.

Meanwhile parishes are having to cut repair and energy costs and one solution could be by installing infrared panel heaters, said Ron, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science and Innovation Park. “They deliver warmth directly to people and furnishings rather than trying to heat the entire area and so are more energy efficient,” he added.

Other advantages include:

As the infrared panels are stand-alone units, without any pipes, they can be positioned to fit the layout of the church, or even be hung on the ceiling so that they point down to the people below.
They’re cheaper to buy and to run than gas heaters, especially as spares for gas boilers won’t be so readily available in future.
It takes only 30 seconds for them to reach their optimal heating temperature whereas in some churches they put the heating on Saturday night to ensure the building is warm for the Sunday service the next morning.
They are particularly effective in older buildings such as cathedrals and churches which have large areas with high ceilings and poor insulation.
Also, many churches are unsuitable for air source heat pumps as they are usually too draughty and the radiators would have to be replaced with aluminium ones.
They are ideal for cathedrals and churches who want to just heat an office or a hall.
Condensation, mould and dampness can be eliminated.
They do not dry out the air so is good for allergy and cold sufferers.
Infrared heating is completely safe – it is UV (ultraviolet) rays that can cause some problems.
The units are British manufactured and made with stainless steel and have a 10-year warranty.
The panels are easily installed by experts leading to minimum disruption for church members.

“With the Church of England aiming to be net zero by 2030, places of worship can help achieve this target at the same time as saving money by reducing their heating costs.,” concluded Ron, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science and Innovation Park.

For those wanting more advice about cutting cathedral and church heating bills and installing infrared panel heaters, call Ron on 0845 474 6641 or contact us here

Caption: Old cathedrals such as this one in Worcester and other large churches are difficult and expensive to heat. A modern way to keep buildings warm are infrared heaters, says Ron Fox.