Work has been completed on the Diocese of Carlisle’s first net carbon zero vicarage.
Five months ago, the diocese bought a property in Natland, near Kendal, as a replacement for the village’s existing Victorian vicarage.
An air source heat pump, pressurised water heating system, solar panels on the roof and battery storage have been installed to improve efficiency and provide two thirds of the electricity supply, increased insulation in the roof space and new external doors.
It is the diocese’s first net zero vicarage and the Rev Canon Angela Whittaker – Helm Mission Community Leader – and her husband, Andrew, will move in shortly.
Nick Paxman, diocesan property manager who project managed the work, said: “We are delighted with what has been achieved. The old Victorian vicarage in the village, though charming to look at, was very expensive for us to maintain and more importantly impossibly expensive for our vicar to heat.
“We needed an answer and one which is in line with our net carbon challenge. So, here we’ve focused on removing the traditional central heating boiler – in this case fuelled by gas – and replaced it with an air source heat pump.”
The monthly costs of heating the 22-year-old property will be slashed with further potential to sell on to energy providers any surplus electricity generated by the solar panels.
The costs of the purchase of the newer property and the work and further renovations will be offset by the sale of the Victorian vicarage, with the diocese investing the residue in support of future mission and ministry across the county, it said.
It follows last October’s Diocesan Synod – the local general assembly made up of bishops, archdeacons and elected clergy and laity – at which members formally endorsed the Diocesan Net Zero Action Plan.
Anna Newlove, diocesan pastoral and net zero officer, liaised with the property team.
Anna said: “It is exciting to see the work that has been completed on the property and the difference that has already made to the building’s energy performance.
“I’ve worked closely with our property team to ensure, for instance, that the additional electricity costs of the heat pump are offset by the solar panel installations to attain net carbon zero status. We are all thrilled with the results, and we will now be completing a new Energy Performance Certificate for the property.”
The Diocese has budgeted £250,000 a year for the next five years towards a programme of net carbon zero work on various properties.
The Natland vicarage is one of three to be developed initially. Work has also just started on improvements at a recently bought vicarage in Grasmere with further work scheduled on third property in Wigton at Easter.
The Bishop of Penrith, the Rt Rev Rob Saner-Haigh, said: “In line with many other dioceses in England, there are inherent challenges as we work towards the Church of England’s Net Carbon Zero target date of 2030.
“However, as we embrace the need to ‘tread gently’ – one of the key themes of our ecumenical county’s God for All vision and strategy – we remain committed to doing all we can to cherish and protect God’s creation. The improvement to this eco vicarage and our future schedule of works reflects this ongoing commitment.”
