Halos to take the chill off St Paul’s

Penny Mulvey

July 10, 2024

Synod delegates attending the June special synod were dressed for the weather. St Paul’s Cathedral, with its high ceiling, is not known for its heat.

But that is going to change.

During August and September, the cathedral will be trialling luminous chandeliers, known as “Halos”, designed in the UK.

Dean Andreas Loewe explained that this is part of the cathedral’s strategic commitment to sustainability.

“This investment in greener, sustainable heating technology is a significant milestone in the Chapter’s ambition to reduce our carbon emissions by 2030,” said Dean Loewe.

The Halo heaters, designed by British engineers Herschel Infrared, were first successfully used in 2022 to heat the nave of a local church in Bristol.

In addition to reducing heating costs, the Halos are designed to fit in with the overall aesthetic of the cathedral. The infrared panels are integrated into a classic octagonal chandelier and will not compromise the visual integrity of the cathedral.

Read more: ‘No matter how bleak it gets… God has called us to make a difference’

Installer Capisco Australia managing director Mark Coory the heaters were a big deal as they provided radiant heat, looked fantastic and maintained the heritage aesthetic of the cathedral. The St Paul’s crest and individual heraldic symbols were integrated into the design.

Mr Coory said that as much as 70 per cent of a church’s energy use is dedicated to heating the building, meaning that getting the heating right is an important choice for meeting carbon and energy savings targets.

According to Dean Loewe, St. Paul’s strives to reduce carbon emissions because Christians are called by God to watch over his good creation.

“I hope that experiencing the positive impact of these fully carbon neutral ‘Halos’ in the cathedral next winter will also encourage other heritage sites to invest in sustainable heating,” he said.

Thanks to funding from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and the William Angliss Charitable Fund, the cathedral is able to introduce this new environmentally friendly heating system.

The cathedral is raising $175,000 to cover the remaining costs of the heating elements. A facility has been set up to make tax-deductible donations through the Melbourne Anglican Cultural Organisation. Donors should ensure they select “Melbourne Anglican Cultural Organisation Inc (MACO)” and then the options “Light up St Paul’s”.

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