The Church of England has given some straightforward advice on alternative forms of heating for churches at: https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare/advice-and-guidance-church-buildings/heating
This extract giving an overview of heating challenges and options for churches, dates from 2020 its comments about the relative cost of gas and electricity may be out of date – https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2023-05/Heating_approaches.pdf
Heat pumps – are highly efficient use of the energy they consume. Best suited to churches in frequent use.
Air to air heat pumps are easier to install, ground to air are more efficient. The hot water for heating runs at a lower temperature compared with a gas/ oil boiler, so adjustments to radiator numbers may be needed. Alternatively works well via an underfloor heating installation.
Further reading – https://cofeportsmouth.contentfiles.net/media/assets/file/Heat_Pumps_and_Churches.pdf
Infra-red/ radiant heaters – these heat bodies rather than the air they are in, so there is no need to preheat the space: the heating can be turned on and off with the lights. They can be presented visually in different forms so that they are not intrusive – eg as white panels that blend into the ceiling, or as part of a chandelier light fitting Improvements in design mean the heat is felt as a gentle warmth rather than a burning heat of old models.
eg. https://www.herschel-infrared.co.uk/churches/
https://flexel.co.uk/shop/infrared-heating/church-heating/ecofilm-raised-platform/ – shows an interesting approach for installing underfloor heating.
Under pew electric heaters – warming one’s feet and as the heat rises, the rest of one’s person
eg – https://www.bnthermic.co.uk/church/ – under pew heating
https://www.churchecomiser.co.uk/church-heating/electric/ – also produces a modern variant of the storage heater.
Electric storage heaters – again these have improved greatly in design and effectiveness.
Or maybe we all bring our own rechargeable heated cushion? https://uk.stoov.com/
Judith Russenberger, Christ Church, East Sheen