How to Improve Church Energy Efficiency: Best Practices
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.
Colossians 3:23
Through wisdom is an house builded;
And by understanding it is established:
And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled
With all precious and pleasant riches.
Proverbs 24:3-4
Everybody knows it: better energy efficiency means lower bills. But there’s more to saving than that. If there’s one thing that every church needs to do as part of a community, it is to lead by example.
The flock is looking up, in big and small things alike.
Not only can improving energy efficiency reduce operational costs, but it also reflects good stewardship of the resources entrusted to us.
So, how can churches become more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly? Let’s explore some practical steps.
Start from the Top
Granted, this step can be most complex and difficult to pull off. However, it’s the widest area of impact both in summer and winter, which is why you shouldn’t leave it out.
The point is to make sure the roof is well-maintained and insulated. There are several steps to this, and most of them are easy to DIY!
- Find, replace, seal. If there are just several shingles that are damaged, replacing them isn’t difficult, provided you have adequate safety measures. Sealing smaller leaks is also feasible with roof sealant that you can get in any hardware store.
- Apply reflective roof coating. It will deflect sunlight and cut down the church’s cooling costs. The coating is also easy to apply using a roller!
- The attic needs some work too. Roll out batt insulation yourself or add loose-fill insulation using a rental blower.
- The windows are a major culprit. They can be easily weatherstripped to seal any air gaps.
Beyond these simple steps, Jarrad Sauvage, owner of a successful Melbourne roof repair company, recommends that church leaders take advantage of a free roof assessment by an experienced local roofing company. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and if a problem is spotted, many companies will offer discounted rates to local places of worship.
Switch to LED
Lighting can be a significant energy expense in many churches, especially those with large sanctuaries and multiple rooms.
Thankfully, it’s hands-down the easiest thing to replace, yet will result in huge savings in the long run! According to Federal Department of Energy, LEDs can save up to 90% less energy than traditional lighting, plus they are much more durable.
That’s not all you can do. Not all areas in the church will be used with the same frequency. That’s where motion sensors can be of great help, especially outside or in restrooms and storage rooms.
Time for Smart Devices
It goes without saying that you should have the heating and cooling system serviced at least once a year. Not only will good maintenance improve the system’s functioning, but it will also boost the overall energy efficiency.
But even if the system is relatively old, you can upgrade it by connecting it to a programmable thermostat. These thermostats are an incredibly useful tool as they are able to customize and even learn the usage patterns and adjust the temperature as needed. For example, it will learn that this or that temperature is ideal for the Service on Sunday mornings, or for Wednesday evenings when you have Bible Study or a youth group meeting.
If you set the thermostat for pre-service warm-up or cool-down, the congregants and staff will also feel much more comfortable.
Time to Go Solar
It’s not a very common sight yet, but churches can also avail themselves of solar energy.
The only downside is, a solar array costs quite a lot. On the brighter side, you don’t have to install a big one to begin with. Plus, nonprofits can get a 30% rebate thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act.
It takes quite a while for a solar array to pay itself too. In some cases, the expected timeframe is up to 10 years. But in reality, that’s a liberal estimate. When you take into account all the variables such as the amount of sunlight in your area, 15-20 years will be much more realistic.
