Energy Carbon’s low energy infrared heating was the system of choice to ensure optimal comfort in this incredible refurbishment

Warksburn Old Church is a spectacular three bedroom luxury holiday rental property at Wark-on-Tyne, Northumberland, where breathtaking interior design is finished with exceptional attention to detail. It is located close to Hadrians Wall, Hexham, and Kielder in a beautiful and tranquil part of rural North East England. A £1M renovation during 2023/24 created a truly unique and stylish home, where up to six guests can enjoy a wonderful holiday.

Sensitively updating a heritage building with cutting edge low carbon technology, the rebuilt Warksburn Old Church is one of the most efficient buildings in the UK, generating more energy than it consumes every year. It is the first church conversion in the world to create a home which meets the ultra-demanding Passivhaus standard for energy efficiency. Warksburn Old Church invites you to experience Net Zero Luxury for yourself.

Low energy lighting is used in every room, and invisible ‘far infrared’ heating is physically built in to floors, walls, and ceilings within the property. This innovative technology provides exceptional comfort and warmth when cold winter’s days require it and means no more radiators are necessary.

 

Layouts showing placement of the infrared heating mats

 

 

 

 

Infrared mats shown through a thermal camera

 

 

 

 

However, for most of the year, guests will notice that this Passivhaus building requires no heating at all, other than the heat naturally emitted by its occupants, and their activities such as cooking.  This is both because it is super-insulated and also because it incorporates a Mechanical Ventilation & Heat Recovery (MVHR) system

 

 

36v transformer
One of a series of Intelligent 36v transformers

 

infrared mats ready to be plastered in
Infrared mats ready to be plastered into the ceiling
Underfloor cables
Cables for the underfloor infrared heating
infrared mats being plastered in
Infrared mats being plastered into the ceiling

 

Plastering in was as simple as pressing the FLEECE into  a wet bed of Multifinish plaster before polishing off ready to decorate as seen in this installation video.

Smart energy providing guest comfort and facilities

Generating electricity from a substantial solar array, carefully recessed into the 150 year old Westmorland slates on the south roof, and storing the energy produced in large batteries, Warksburn Old Church incorporates a number of smart energy technologies.  These supply renewable or sustainable power for numerous features and facilities provided for the comfort, convenience, and enjoyment of guests.

The plant room at Warksburn Old Church

This stunning property, which is now available as an Airbnb, was featured on Discovery TV, The Sunday Times and Grand Designs Magazine.