According to a
survey conducted by
the Biodiversity
Project, 67 percent
of Americans say
that they care about
the environment
because nature is
God’s creation

Did You Know?

If America’s more than 300,000 houses of worship cut energy use by 10 percent…

Nearly $200 million would be saved for congregations’ missions and other priorities.

More than 5.4 billion kWh of electricity would be available without additional cost and pollution.

  In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that if 300,000 congregations cut back on their energy use by 25 per cent, invest in more efficient heating and lighting systems, and adopt other environment-friendly practices, they would save more than $500 million annually. The efforts would also prevent more than five million tons of greenhouse gas emissions from polluting the air, or “the equivalent of taking one million cars off the road,” estimates the agency.

The congregation building is an emblem of our faith and serves as the physical hub of our communal life. However, when we spend too much money on building and maintenance we divert funds from other projects which serve our mission. The financial advantages of an environmentally responsible building are great, especially for congregation buildings which are generally in place for the long term and will be used for many years. A stable organization such as a congregation is an ideal candidate for green building. The life-use of the facility is likely to be under one owner, thereby creating opportunity to realize maximum benefit of design and installations.

Most religious traditions teach stewardship of financial and natural resources. Energy efficiency is an excellent means of achieving both of these objectives at the same time, because energy saved is both money saved and pollution prevented.

Energy costs represent a significant portion of congregation budgets. While individual congregation expenditures vary based on hours of operation, size and utility rates, a 1999 U.S. Department of Energy commercial buildings energy consumption survey found that congregations spend an average of $4,600 on energy costs each year. Large, mega-church-sized facilities can spend close to that each month during their harsher seasons. Worship facility managers have an opportunity to save money and be environmentally responsible by improving the energy efficiency of their HVAC system and minimizing building energy use, all while responding to the diverse needs of their congregations.

Congregation Energy Related Building Data

The below table from the Energy Information Administration shows some of the important energy data for the places of worship in the United States. The numbers alone make a good case for promoting sustainable building practices to such facilities.

C.L.I. Group, LLC has the experience that will be important to your congregation in making wise decisions about building retrofits and updates that are being considered as part of an overall sustainable approach to your places of worship. Our staff includes LEED Accredited Professionals, Energy Star Service Providers, Test & Balance Technicians, Building Enclosure/Envelope Specialists, Indoor Air Quality Professionals and Professional Engineers. Our technicians have performed successful projects on places of worship, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities, commercial office buildings and other public facilities. Our interest in in long-term relationships with our clients as we help them in achieving their stewardship and sustainability goals.

Energy Codes

Energy codes play an important role in the design and development of church programs. Whether the building under consideration is yet to be built or is an existing church being retrofitted, the building codes will play an important role in selecting materials and rating performance.

In addition to assuring proper construction on new buildings, building codes cover all aspects of building renovations. Some other issues in addition to building codes which should be considered in schools is asbestos, radon gas, combustion safety and implementing programs to address such issues. We have a State of Ohio licensed Asbestos Hazard Evaluation Specialist (#34024), Board Certified Indoor Air Quality Technician (CIAQT) certified by the Association of Energy Engineers and a Certified Indoor Air Quality Manager (CIAQM) certified by the American Indoor Air Quality Council. Implementing an Indoor Air Quality and Asbestos management Plan can assure that due diligence is met by your facility.

Resources

Other Programs of Interest to Congregations