Eco Church. Going for Gold.
2. Buildings and Energy
Brunswick church building was built in 1974 and in 2024 we celebrated it's 50th birthday. As well as the main worship room where services are held there is also a sports hall, lounge, and youth room, all arranged around a large central kitchen.
Brunswick church building was built in 1974 and in 2024 we celebrated it's 50th birthday. As well as the main worship room where services are held there is also a sports hall, lounge, and youth room, all arranged around a large central kitchen.
Under our Refurb project, a number of refurbishment and improvement projects have been undertaken over the past decade to enhance the building's functionality, energy efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
- Solar panels were installed in 2016. These generate renewable electricity while providing an income through the FIT arrangement.
- Heating: the original oil-fired boiler has been replaced with modern gas-fired boilers. Recognising the need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, the church is currently reviewing its future heating strategy and exploring a range of alternatives, including heat pump technologies and electric underfloor heating.
- The most significant building project took place in 2021 when the sports hall underwent a major refurbishment. This included a new roof and improved insulation, delivering both energy efficiency benefits and a more comfortable environment for users.
- In 2024, the lounge was refurbished including replacing the roof following a number of leaks.
- In 2026 the 52-year-old Worship Room windows were replaced, improving insulation.
Looking ahead, we are looking at increasing our solar generation capacity by adding more solar panels on the worship hall roof, together with battery storage. This would supply the majority of the church's electricity requirements from renewable sources. Before this can proceed, the worship hall roof will require replacement, as it is nearing the end of its serviceable life (and occasionally leaks!). Initial design work and quotations are currently being sought, with the project potentially progressing in 2027.
The upkeep of the church building is greatly supported by the Monday Night Maintenance Club. Originally established by young people from the church seeking regular volunteering opportunities as part of their Duke of Edinburgh's Award, the group continues to make a valuable contribution through weekly maintenance activities. Their work ranges from replacing failed light fittings with energy-efficient LED alternatives to installing water butts for rainwater harvesting. By identifying and resolving minor issues before they become major problems, the group helps reduce maintenance costs and ensures that limited resources can be focused on larger strategic improvement projects.