Christ Church’s recent efforts build upon past efforts which included: additional building insulation, automatic setback thermostats on both heating systems and hot water tanks, water heater insulation jackets and hot water pipe insulation, individual lighting fixture incandescent bulb replacement with LEDS and the annual tuning, cleaning and inspection of the church heating plant for maximum efficiency.
Last month, the Thrift Store’s old fossil fuel (oil) furnace was replaced with heat pumps! Also, twelve overhead lighting fixtures with outdated T-12 florescent bulbs with starters and magnetic ballasts were replaced with LED fixtures. According to the master electrician installer, they are 90% more efficient due to advances in lighting technology over 40 years.
Christ Church has plans to conduct an energy audit, with instrumentation, on the Thrift Store building, a 1890s era house. Then from November 19-23, church volunteers will be participating in the Window Dressers community build. At these workshops, twenty six window inserts will be made to retrofit the single pane, double hung thrift store windows.
Cumulatively, these energy conservation measures (ECMs) have increased our comfort while decreasing our energy bills and carbon footprint. Consider implementing similar ECMs in your church facilities to do the same!