A KEMPSHOTT church has risen to the challenge and raised significant funds for a new heating system - taking steps towards becoming net zero carbon. 

After their previous heating system was condemned as unsafe, the church council at St Mark's, in Homesteads Road, knew they had an expensive problem and one that would limit the building’s use by the local community.

But, in January 2021, the church council decided to grasp the opportunity to replace the original system with a carbon-friendly alternative. This was done in support of the Church of England’s aim to be Net Zero Carbon by 2030. 

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Taking advice from the Diocesan heating advisers, Chris Reading Associates, a scheme was developed to install a new system using BioLPG rather than fossil fuels. 

The new heating system wasn’t going to be cheap. The challenge of raising the funds needed was met head-on and led by Will Hooper, the chair of the premises committee, congregational fundraising began and applications for grants were made.

The congregation alone raised over a quarter of the total needed, with the rest of the funds coming from generous grants received from the Veolia Environmental Trust, Four Lanes Trust and the Garfield Weston Foundation.

In addition to a new boiler and radiators to heat the church, the installation required a large, yellow tank to be buried in the grounds of the church.

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The tank supplies Futuria Liquified Gas from Calor, which is made from a blend of waste residues and sustainably sourced materials, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). It also meant a reduction in CO2 emissions by up to 85 per cent

As a result, the church has a significantly reduced carbon footprint and no longer uses fossil fuels for heating.

As the price of “town gas” has gone up recently, Saint Mark’s expects to be spending 35 per cent less on gas.

Having the new heating system installed has also meant the church is warm again, to the church congregation's delight.

The church can now open up as a warm space for the community this winter.