St Mary’s Church has introduced heated pew cushions as part of efforts to tackle soaring energy bills and reduce emissions from its ageing heating system.
The church says its traditional heating system – powered by a boiler believed to be more than 70 years old – can cost up to £120 per day to run during colder months while still struggling to properly heat the vast historic building.
St Mary’s, whose origins date back to Anglo-Saxon Ilkeston, has now adopted a different approach after taking part in the Church of England’s national Net Zero programme.
Instead of attempting to heat the entire building, the church has moved towards a “heat the people, not the space” model using electrically heated pew cushions and under-pew heating systems.
Church officials say the new approach allows warmth to be directed specifically towards occupied seating areas, rather than trying to raise the temperature of the whole church interior.
According to information released as part of a Greener Churches case study, smaller midweek services held in the side chapel can now cost as little as £2 to heat — equating to around 10p per person attending.
The report says the church had previously been identified as one of the highest greenhouse gas emitters in the diocese due to the scale and inefficiency of its heating demands.
Following a free energy audit, the church explored several alternative heating technologies before deciding on pew-based heating systems.
More than 200 metres of heated seating cushions have now been installed throughout the nave and side chapels, with additional under-pew heaters also being introduced in the Peter Chapel.
The gas boiler remains in use, but now plays a much smaller supporting role.
The church says the system not only reduces running costs, but also improves comfort by warming people directly – particularly around feet and lower legs where traditional church heating systems can often struggle.
Historic churches across the country continue to face growing pressure over heating costs, maintenance expenses and energy efficiency, with many exploring alternative ways to keep buildings usable during colder months.
St Mary’s latest changes are likely to spark debate locally over heritage, sustainability and the future running costs of large historic buildings.
What do you think?
Practical solution or step too far – what do you think of heated church seating?