Beeston Methodist Church, Chilwell Rd., Beeston, NG9 1EH.
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Beeston Methodist Church has recently undergone a major redevelopment project to make it more flexible, accessible and suitable for community use, and to reduce our environmental footprint. The very large building was constructed in 1902 with exceptionally thick brick walls, uninsulated slate roof, uninsulated suspended floor, and single-glazed stained glass windows. It is a landmark building in a Conservation Area. Energy-saving features from the recent refurbishment include:
See below for more information, with the least expensive first and the number of £s giving a rough indication of cost. [Information provided June 2026.] |
MAP TO BE REPLACED
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1. SECONDARY GLAZING ON FRONT WINDOW £
Clear perspex makes relatively cheap but effective internal secondary glazing. It was originally installed a few years ago to reduce drafts from the large stained-glass window, but has been removed, cleaned and replaced as part of the redevelopment project. |
Secondary glazing.
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2. LED INTERNAL LIGHTS ££
The old internal halogen lights have been replaced with an LED-based system. These are brighter, use less power and are more controllable. |
LED internal lights.
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3. SOLAR PV PANELS ££
An array of solar PV Panels has been added to the east and south-facing roofs of the transept and the organ loft. They are not visible from Chilwell Road. These roofs were re-slated with new slates, enabling all the original slates which were still in good condition to be re-used on the main (and more visible) roof. So the PV panels have been put on new slates rather than old ones. |
Solar PV panels on 3 roofs.
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4. FLOOR INSULATION £££
As part of the process of replacing the suspended floor (which included removing old heating pipes and making it flat) a layer of foam block insulation was added. This should reduce heat loss and draughts, and therefore lower our energy usage and heating bills. |
Floor insulation.
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5. ROOF INSULATION £££
The roof was showing its age after 125 years of exposure to the elements. It also let out a lot of heat. All the slates were removed and checked. Those which were still in good condition were put back on the main roof. At the same time, a thick layer of rockwool insulation was added between the suspended ceiling and the roof slates. This should make a significant difference to heat loss from the building, and help to reduce energy usage and heating bills. |
Roof insulation
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6. NEW EFFICIENT HEATING SYSTEM £££££
Our previous boilers were in the basement, which floods after intense rainfall, sometimes overwhelming the submersible pump. Given the increasing frequency and intensity of storm events, we took the opportunity to move the boilers into a new plant room on the first floor. The new plant room was created in what had been a double-height corridor. Because of the size of the building, we were advised to replace our old gas boilers (installed in the 1980s) with new gas boilers rather than a heat pump. The new boilers are much more efficient than the old ones with a sophisticated BMS (Building Management System) control system which optimises energy efficiency and helps to reduce the amount of gas required. |
New efficient heating system.
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BENEFITS
The building is now warmer, less draughty and more economical to heat. Our energy bills (for gas and electricity) are lower. We have been able to integrate the energy-efficiency measures into a wider project, increasing its range of benefits.
The building is now warmer, less draughty and more economical to heat. Our energy bills (for gas and electricity) are lower. We have been able to integrate the energy-efficiency measures into a wider project, increasing its range of benefits.
LESSONS LEARNED
Works to the roof were delayed by the need to remove many nesting pigeons. This proved more difficult than expected, and added extra time and expense to the project.
During the course of the works, asbestos was discovered in the boiler room which needed to be removed under controlled conditions. As well as adding cost and delay, this required us to close the entire premises whilst the work was undertaken, causing inconvenience for the congregation, staff and room hirers.
Works to the roof were delayed by the need to remove many nesting pigeons. This proved more difficult than expected, and added extra time and expense to the project.
During the course of the works, asbestos was discovered in the boiler room which needed to be removed under controlled conditions. As well as adding cost and delay, this required us to close the entire premises whilst the work was undertaken, causing inconvenience for the congregation, staff and room hirers.
FUTURE WORK PLANNED
We would like to add internal secondary glazing to more of the stained glass windows.
We would like to replace the roof of the hall and back rooms, incorporating insulation and a larger array of PV panels.
Hopefully, future developments in heating technology will mean that when the new boilers need replacing in the future, we will be able to use a renewable energy-based system.
We would like to add internal secondary glazing to more of the stained glass windows.
We would like to replace the roof of the hall and back rooms, incorporating insulation and a larger array of PV panels.
Hopefully, future developments in heating technology will mean that when the new boilers need replacing in the future, we will be able to use a renewable energy-based system.
Disclaimer: Please note that EcoTrail-NG9 aims to provide information as accurately as possible but the information on this page has been provided by the property owner.
