NET ZERO FOR SEWERBY METHODIST CHURCH

SEWERBY METHODIST CHURCH

BACKGROUND

Following the feasibility study for the Yorkshire North and East Methodist District to develop viable Pathways to Net Zero for 21 of their buildings, Sewerby Methodist Church was selected to go forwards to the procurement and construction phases. The project, funded by the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub Energy Project Enabling Fund (EPEF), stems from the commitment made by the District to become Net Zero by 2040.

d3associates was commissioned to undertake the designs to RIBA Stage 3 and submission of the planning application, detailed designs to RIBA Stage 4 and the tender process and RIBA Stage 5 the construction phase.

OUTCOME

Building on the concept designs for an air-to-air heat pump system to replace the existing night storage heaters and the installation of large scale solar PV and battery storage, we developed the designs to RIBA Stage 3 and submitted the planning application. Following correspondence with the planning officer, it was agreed to move the heat pump location to minimise potential noise issues with adjacent residents.

The designs, drawings and specifications were finalised and issued for tender. It was agreed to use specialist installers for each measure, which were completed in February 2024. The 18kWp solar PV system is expected to generate around 17,000kWh per year which equals the anticipated future annual electricity demand for the building, hence it will be Net Zero. The addition of 28.7kWh of battery storage will ensure more of the electricity generated is used within the building thus keeping costs down. The air-to-air heat pump system is designed to heat the building even on the cold winter days and will be able to respond quickly to changes in heat requirements of different groups.

Watch the installation of the solar PV at Sewerby Methodist Church here