INSTALLATION IN ST NICOLAS CHURCH
OF FIVE INFRARED CHANDELIERS

Pertuis, France – 2020/12/12

Church Heating - Case Study

After more than 12 months of development, the five heating chandeliers of of St Nicolas Church of Pertuis (France) have taken their place in the nave of the church.

This achievement, which is certainly the first of its kind, has managed to combine the aesthetic quality of the chandeliers, respect of the architecture and thermal performance.

This challenge, both technical and artistic, could not have been carried out without close collaboration with the municipality and the Regional Conservation of Historic Monuments of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

Faced with the aesthetic inadequacy of the existing solutions, the church being protected as heritage monument, it was decided to start from a blank sheet of paper to design this unique set of radiant chandeliers.

Thus, after testing several models of infrared halogen lamps (IRC), the chandeliers and infrared reflectors were specifically designed and manufactured to obtain an ensemble that aesthetically matches the heritage value of the building, while ensuring the necessary thermal comfort.

Several thermal studies were carried out to finalize the development of this project, which were validated by in situ measurements.

This heating system using infrared radiant chandeliers (IRC) proved to be the most suitable from the point of view of the conservation of the building's rich heritage furniture: paintings, sculptures, gilded and polychrome woods, organs.

"We are able to affirm that users will be able to enjoy the offices in optimal conditions of comfort for a place with so many technical and environmental constraints.

Our surveys and our knowledge also allow us to affirm that the artworks of the chapels are outside the zones of influence of the chandeliers and do not risk damaging them. Indeed no rise in temperature of the works is to be feared, the chandeliers do not involve any air displacement and do not influence the hygrometry of the building."

Conclusions of the thermal study carried out at the request of the Regional Department for Historic Monuments

A study of electricity consumption also showed that this type of heating remained similar or even lower in cost than other existing systems (fan, floor or underfloor heating).

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Infrared heating principle

• Shortwave infrared radiation heating (IRC)
• Unlike convection heaters, the air is not heated
• It is by standing under the radiation that the sensation of warmth is felt
• Outside the beam, the building temperature remains unchanged
• Its effect is immediate

Users' comfort

• Infrared radiation ensures a comfort temperature with an immediate effect: 62 to 66 °F in winter, for an initial temperature of 54 °F
• No warm-up time is required
• Silencer
• No " hot head / cold feet " effect due to the suspension height (17 ft.)

Heritage furniture and artworks

• Infrared radiation does not alter the hygrometry of the place (unlike fan systems)
• It does not generate any air convection flow
• Does not generate water vapour and therefore condensation (unlike gas systems)
• The elements of decorations are not subjected to the radiations of the chandeliers, these being focused on the assistance
• The internal temperature of the building is not changed

Chandeliers aesthetical value

• A custom design in accordance with the interior architecture
• The heating elements, unsightly by nature, are organically integrated into the aesthetic of the chandeliers
• Outside of cold periods, the church benefits from "classic" and elegant lightings
• Being the culmination of an exceptional restoration project, they highlight the extent of the work carried out

Financial and energy aspects

• Mutualization of heating and lighting costs
• Easy to install: just like traditional chandeliers
• Low running costs: the chandeliers only work during celebrations and events and can be lit separately according to the number of people - their function is not to "heat" the interior of the church, but to provide thermal comfort for those under direct radiation
• Simple maintenance: only the infrared lamps (IRC) have to be changed (2,500 h)

As a conclusion

Our workshop is happy to have been able to make its contribution to the heating of churches, an area which is very poorly documented and about which we have encountered many unfounded assertions due to the lack of serious thermal studies in France.

The parishioners of St Nicolas Church will now enjoy their Christmas mass in a warmer place.