This has been a record setting year. For those of us in the northeast region of the country, the snowiest winter on record is being followed by what may be the hottest summer on record. Globally, this has been the warmest January to June period since they started keeping track in the nineteenth century. Electric rates are increasing, and we expect them to go even higher as the Public Utility Commission cap on electric rates expires at the end of the year. We are hearing from many of you that your budgets are stressed in the weak economy. I am sure you are looking at how utility increases will impact your ministries and programs.
Danish economist Bjorn Lomberg’s book, Cool It: The Skeptical Environmentalist’s Guide to Global Warming, addresses the issue of global warming and economic concerns in reducing the carbon footprint. He advocates an economically sound and sustainable approach to the issue. He points out that compliance with mandates to reduce carbon emissions are extremely expensive when compared to the benefits achieved. Lomberg recommends a path that addresses human needs and ultimately results in reduced energy costs. A common sense approach includes reducing the amount of energy needed and making clean energy less costly.
Reducing the amount of energy needed is a challenge for most of us, as we don’t want to reduce our quality of life in order to achieve this. (No air conditioning would not be well received by most US congregations on a 90 degree Fahrenheit day!) Another option is to make our buildings more energy efficient. Few church buildings are very energy efficient. Most were constructed at a time when energy was relatively cheap, so it was hard to justify the added cost for more insulation or a high-efficiency heating system. When faced with pay-back periods of 10+ years, most churches declined the upgrade. However, the more the cost of energy increases, the shorter the payback period for upgrades that improve efficiency.
A valuable way to look at methods for reducing energy demand would be with a facility energy audit. Such an audit would consider ways in which a building has been constructed and look at the way a building is used weekly to determine where a schedule or class location change can save energy. In addition, implementing methods to remind individuals to re-adjust thermostats or close windows, etc., at the end of meetings can help to save on energy costs. WPH has started doing energy audits for churches, and we’d be glad to help you save money this way; just give us a call!
Rule of Thumb:
Most buildings lose 15% or more of their energy through air gaps at places like doors, windows, roofs and utility penetrations.
How can we get an audit like this?
Since you asked…we’ll give you a call!