The Gnadenfrei Lutheran Church in Marananga, South Australia, was built in 1861 to serve the local German-Lutheran community in the Barossa Valley, which was settled by German immigrants in the 19th century. The church is an important historical landmark reflecting the area’s rich German heritage set beautifully amongst the vines.

This case study explores the transition from worn out and inefficient wall mounted electric bar heaters to Heliosa 11 short-wave infrared heaters—an instant, targeted infrared heating solution that not only improved efficiency but also preserved the church’s cherished aesthetic.

Space Assessment 

Gnadenfrei Lutheran Church is a heritage building with traditional architecture. It features a high ceilinged large open space and struggles with poor insulation typical of older buildings. In many ways, like all old churches, it faces challenges to maintain warmth and comfort within its walls during the colder months in what is often characterised as an ‘impossible to heat’ space.

Installation & Placement 

With existing electric wall mounted heaters needing replacement, Gnadenfrei Lutheran Church approached Country Air and Electrical for suggestions. One of the constraints was that the amount of power had to be limited to what was already being used by the existing heaters. Ideally, the church community hoped that a better heating result would be achieved using newer technology. Travis Zeunert of Country Air and Electrical had only recently become aware of Infrared Australia’s Heliosa short-wave infrared having installed some heaters at another customer. He approached Infrared Australia who recommended the Heliosa 11 short-wave infrared heater as a perfect alternative for use in the small Church. Testing had shown that 1500W power from this heater far exceeded the heat emitted by the 2400W existing bar heaters.

In effect, taking down the existing heaters and replacing them with new ones would be a simple swap, yet the area that could be covered would be more than from the existing heaters using less electricity to do so. In addition, the advantage of short-wave infrared meant that the heaters would be at full power immediately meaning no need to pre-heat the church in advance of a service. The savings on the heating power bill would be dramatic.

Why Heliosa Short Wave Infrared Heaters? 

If you are looking for a way to keep your historical spaces warm that is both efficient and long-lasting, the Heliosa Short Wave Infrared Heater range is your perfect choice. The heaters utilise innovative short-wave infrared technology, featuring long-life InfraCalor® elements. Coupled with their installation housing design, these elements ensure reliable and efficient performance in most spaces.

Furthermore, Heliosa Short Wave Infrared Heaters offer lower operational costs compared to conventional heating systems. They reduce the wastage associated with heating large volumes of air. This direct approach to heating not only reduces energy consumption but also significantly lowers heating bills.

Conclusion 

The installation of Heliosa 11 short wave infrared heaters at Gnadenfrei Lutheran Church has significantly improved heating efficiency. “The church community is very impressed and appreciates the fact that the heaters warm people as soon as switched on without first heating air” reports Travis. This switch from inefficient electric heaters to targeted infrared technology has been good for the church’s finances. It also preserves the church’s historic architecture. Heliosa heaters provide instant, direct heat efficiently, reducing operational costs without compromising a building’s aesthetic or function. This makes Heliosa heaters a practical and economical choice for any church or large open space. Explore more about how Heliosa’s infrared solutions can transform your environment, contact us today.

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