Dear friends and benefactors,
‘Canon, we have a problem!’
This is not how I prefer to be greeted by the heating engineer servicing our boilers, but as some of you may know, this is what happened last November (2022) when he was forced to shut down two of the four boilers for the church and presbytery heating system, after their annual service. These boilers were condemned because of their carbon monoxide levels and leaking gas valves. Not good news!
Let me give you some history: in March 2019, we consulted a specialist heating engineer company to consider the viability of our present heating system compared to alternatives. They: concluded that this ducted system was the best for us, but the-ducts and pipes needed a massive overhaul and update to improve efficiency. At that time, the boilers were old, but serviceable. We carried out the expert’s recommendations from their general heating survey, including a complete cleaning of the labyrinth of warm air vents, allowing the church to reach a temperature of 18°C from a 7-8°C start, all helped of course by the other restoration and insulation works. This work has allowed us to save much on energy bills over the last two years. However, the system is still working with the original ‘old’ boilers, which are around 40-50 years old. We knew that sooner or later, complete replacement would be necessary, and that time has arrived sooner than expected!
During recent cold winter months in northern England, with only two out of four boilers limping along, we found a temporary solution and some breathing space, to keep our church open and welcoming, while we researched a viable plan we could present to our faithful. We purchased petrol space heaters in time for Christmas. Since then, every Sunday morning at 4 am, one of our Canons goes into the church to manually start the two machines to ensure a reasonable temperature for the Sunday Masses.
Searching for a permanent solution, several heating engineers have made recommendations with quotes which we have carefully considered. Ideally, we need to replace all four boilers, located in the cellar of the house, both for the church and presbytery. Four existing boilers will need to be stripped out and replaced with four efficient, energy saving boilers, reordering the discharging flue pipes, and improving the gas safety. Thanks to your help in the past, and of course God’s Providence, we have managed to rescue this church, restore it, and redecorate it akin to the original design, following the steps of our dear predecessor Father Mullins (may he rest in peace). If we could raise enough money for new boilers, we will be able to offer a much higher level of comfort for all.
But the difference this time is there is no public fund grant available for boilers!
The total cost of replacement boilers is £80000. We already have £10,000 thanks to generous previous donations. The Diocese of Shrewsbury has promised us a grant of £10,000 to support this project, and offered us a 5-year interest free loan of £40,000 (We will have to pay this back.)
If we can raise £20,000 now, we can get the boilers replaced in March 2023. We will then need help to repay the £40,000 diocesan loan over the next 5 years: however, the sooner we repay this loan, the better!
CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO THE BOILER FUND
The replacement:
What our four new Broag-Remeha boilers will look like:
Remeha was originally a Dutch company formed in the 1920s, and now part of Baxi Heating. They have been in the UK for over 30 years.
Technical data about the Quinta Ace boiler from their website includes:
– Cascade output (3 boilers linked together) up to 345 kW + separate one for the presbytery (65 kW).
– High-efficiency compact wall hung boiler up to 99.6% Gross Calorific Value (GCV) at 50/30 (30% part load) .
– greater than average energy savings.
– Low NOx Annual Emissions levels from 22mg/kWh (0% 021 dry) (Class 6)
– low pollutant emissions meet environmental regulations.
– Quiet operation less than < 52dBA – improved comfort.
– Certified to work with 20% hydrogen.
Cost Breakdown
We rely on your generosity for this important phase to give glory to Our Blessed Lord! Please help us.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Canon A Montjean