LED there be light: how Kenilworth church is doing its bit to tackle climate change

A Kenilworth church has spent thousands of pounds to do its bit to tackle climate change.
By Oliver Williams
Published 12th Mar 2020, 17:06 BST
Updated 13th Mar 2020, 10:12 BST
AbbeyHill United Reformed Church in Kenilworth has recently had LED lighting installed throughout in line with the town's fight against climate change. Gaynor Watkins (Chair of Managers), John McKenzie (Treasurer of Managers) & George Jones (Lay Minister).AbbeyHill United Reformed Church in Kenilworth has recently had LED lighting installed throughout in line with the town's fight against climate change. Gaynor Watkins (Chair of Managers), John McKenzie (Treasurer of Managers) & George Jones (Lay Minister).
AbbeyHill United Reformed Church in Kenilworth has recently had LED lighting installed throughout in line with the town's fight against climate change. Gaynor Watkins (Chair of Managers), John McKenzie (Treasurer of Managers) & George Jones (Lay Minister).

Following the declaration by Kenilworth Town Council of a climate emergency last year, the managers of Abbey Hill United Reformed Church discussed how the church could save energy.

They decided to change all the lights and lighting in the church buildings to low energy LED.

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Church manager Ivan Pointon said: "As a church, Abbey Hill United Reformed Church has always tried to be environmentally conscious, careful of waste and keen to recycle.

"Following the town council's declaration the managers at Abbey Hill URC discussed what changes could be made to reduce our carbon footprint.

"We are still considering providing funds toward tree planting but an immediate decision was made to cut electricity use in the church buildings.

"Last year the total amount of used on electricity in our church buildings was around 17,000 kilowatt hours , which is roughly five times higher than the average residential household.

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"The decision was made to replace all lights in the church buildings with low energy LED equivalents and try and reduce electricity consumption to less than that of the average residential household.

"So, between December 17 2019 and January 14 2020 C & L Electrical Limited changed every light fitting in the church buildings at a cost of just under £5,000."