As a step toward reducing costs and its carbon footprint, the system has replaced two ancient oil-fired boilers in the 202-year-old concert and assembly hall.
Initially work began in mid-2019 with the installation of electrical radiators and a heated air distribution system.
‘It needed testing, tickling and tinkering,’ said St James executive director Jon Bisson.
‘When I started I discovered that St James was running off oil boilers, which chew through oil at an alarming rate and have a huge ecological impact. I started scratching around and found previously the rooms were heated 100% of the time, despite only being used around 12% of the time.
‘Now we turn the heating on for a couple hours before an event.’
Installed by Phase, which part-sponsored the project, and managed by Guernsey Electricity, a communal effort was behind the project.
‘Planning this was fun, we were very lucky to have smart cookies lending their time and expertise all pro-bono. Richard Spinney of Henderson Green designed a system which doesn’t damage the historic building and it could all be installed without having to close the doors once.’
St James Jubilee Foundation fundraising allowed this first phase to be completed along with a small States grant.
Guernsey Electricity head of energy solutions Vince Smith said: ‘It was a fantastic project to be involved in and we are pleased to help this large community space transition to electricity, particularly as the supply is now from 100% renewable sources.’
Phase two involves switching the Dorey Centre to electrical heating, which will be funded by event attendance.
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