Cutting Energy Costs, Increasing
Stewardship
May 17, 2005
Highlights for
Congregations
Presenter:
Andrew Rudin
Interfaith
Coalition on Energy
(215)
635-1122
Ø Congregation
buildings are different from houses in that they are intermittently used
facilities, occupied for limited hours each week. Therefore, the types of improvements that make sense in houses
(insulation, windows) are much less cost-effective in worship spaces.
Ø Priorities for
congregations interested in cutting utility costs are:
o Turn
things off. This includes
setting back heating or cooling during unoccupied periods, turning off lights
& ceiling fans, unplugging refrigerators/freezers used only for special
events a few times each year, and turning down water heater settings. Rudin recommends setting back thermostats to
45° during unoccupied periods in the winter.
See his publication “Why Lowering Interior Temperatures During Vacant
Times Saves Heating Energy,” available through his website. Turning equipment off is always the first
priority, because it requires no up-front investment.
o Buy the
least expensive energy. Talk to your
utility to make sure your congregation is on the most advantageous rate
structure (see handout from “Making Sense of Utility Bills & Rate
Structures” workshop).
o
Tune systems to optimal performance. Heating and air conditioning
equipment should be regularly serviced for the most efficient operation.
o
Purchase efficient replacements. When it is
necessary to purchase new equipment, it should be your congregation’s policy to
buy energy-efficient replacements. Even
though high-efficiency equipment often has a higher purchase price, reduced
operating costs will quickly repay that initial investment. High-efficiency options exist for heating
systems, air conditioners, water heaters, lights & fixtures, refrigerators
& freezers, and office equipment.
Look for the Energy Star® label to identify high-efficiency options.
Ø
Benchmark your utility costs. Analyze your annual gas and
electricity usage per square foot of building area, to understand how your
usage compares to that of other congregations.
If your usage is higher than average, it means that your congregation
has an opportunity for saving energy.
See Rudin’s graphs of usage among Philadelphia congregations (on
reverse). The Meadville Community
Energy Project and DEP are considering a benchmarking workshop in Fall 2005, to
help congregations analyze their utility usage and develop graphs of usage
patterns for northwestern Pennsylvania.
Ø
Identify an energy manager. Identify a
single person to be responsible for controlling energy costs for your
congregation. This person should
receive copies of all utility bills, so he/she can track changes in energy
use. If usage suddenly increases, the
energy manager should figure out why: is the increase due to new equipment or
extended operating hours, or is the extra usage caused by a malfunction or
unintended operation of a piece of equipment?
The energy manager should be given authority to work with your
congregation’s committees to implement the priorities listed above.
Ø
Consider an energy audit. Consider
hiring an energy professional to help your congregation develop a plan for
reducing energy costs.
For more information,
contact the Meadville Community Energy Project at
(814) 332-2986, or kgreely@allegheny.edu