ENERGY CONSERVATION
In 2005 several Green Sanctuary Task Force (GSTF) members gathered data on our building’s energy use and sought to measure the CO2.
Our Building: What began as a two story 3000 sq. ft. building in 1970 has expanded multiple times to over 17,600 sq. ft., with eleven heating and cooling (HVAC) and water heaters.
Our Challenges:
- In 2012 we accepted a challenge to reduce the building’s energy consumption by 25% from a baseline of 2008.
- In 2017 we took the Interfaith Power and Light Paris Pledge to commit to reducing our carbon pollution by 50% by 2030 and to be carbon neutral by 2050.
Conservation Methods: Recommendations were made to reduce the impact of the HVAC, lighting, water heating and appliances.
- After energy audits, the building envelope was better sealed and insulated, leaky windows were replaced, and lighting was upgraded.
- Programmable thermostats were installed with temperatures set back (lower in winter, higher in summer) at night and other periods when spaces were unoccupied.
- Our HVAC zones were mapped, and signage created to remind staff and members which HVAC zone each thermostat controlled. Church staff encouraged groups to schedule weekday meetings in rooms already being conditioned (heated or cooled) that day.
- As carpet was stained or worn, carpet tiles were installed.
