Has your church considered going “green?” Regardless of their
denomination, most churches want to be faithful stewards of the earth. Even
people who do not believe in global warming believe it is prudent to conserve
our resources for our children.
Recycling is Basic
There are many ways to do this. Among the most popular are recycling waste and
using products made from recycled materials. Office supplies and even quality religious bulletin covers made of recycled materials can be purchased.
Returning used toner and copier cartridges and buying refilled cartridges are
often overlooked. The religious bulletin covers can even be recycled again. To
make recycling convenient, position recycling bins in the office, classroom and
social areas.
Church socials can use glasses, plates and stainless steel utensils, instead of
paper and plastic products. The time spent washing dishes can be considered a
contribution toward the welfare of the planet. The recycled materials can be
collected by the city recycling program or sold to recycling companies and used
to raise funds for church programs.
High Church Ceilings are Very Wasteful of Energy
Churches typically have high ceilings in the worship areas. This wastes large
quantities of heat, as heat rises and accumulates near the ceiling. Ceiling
fans can be installed to circulate this heat downward. This saves energy and
provides more uniform comfort. This should significantly reduce the heating
bill.
Programmable Thermostats are Reliable Energy Savers
Using programmable thermostats for heating and cooling is sensible. They are
much more reliable than humans when it comes to adjusting the temperature for
savings and comfort.
New Furnaces and Air Conditioners are Much More Efficient
When heating or air conditioning systems need replacing, high-efficiency
systems should be installed. The extra expense will be more than compensated by
lower energy costs. You will have the added satisfaction of protecting the
environment.
When the roof needs replacing, white roofing should be installed. It reflects
sunlight and reduces cooling bills. Investigate the feasibility of installing
solar panels on the roof to heat water and generate electricity.
Trees Provide Beauty and Energy Savings
A shaded church building is easier to cool. Since churches are usually tall,
select tall, fast-growing varieties of trees to provide shade more quickly. A
well-placed windbreak of evergreens will give protection from cold, winter
winds.
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Produce Huge Savings
When possible, all incandescent light bulbs should be replaced with compact
fluorescent bulbs (CFL). Light from a 13 watt CFL is comparable to a 60 watt
incandescent bulb. CFLs last 12 to 15 times the life of incandescent bulbs.
Low-Flow Restroom Fixtures Save Water and Energy
Low-flow toilets should be installed in all restrooms, as they use about 60
percent less water. Install restroom faucets that operate automatically, to
conserve water and energy. Install electric hand dryers to save on paper
towels.
Free Energy Audit Can Reveal Unsuspected Losses
To improve heating and cooling efficiency; an energy audit will reveal changes
that need to be made. Often, an energy audit will be performed free by the
electric company. If necessary, a commercial firm can be retained to perform
the task. Energy savings can be tremendous.
Utilize teleconferences instead of traveling to meetings. Autos and airplanes
contribute enormously to pollution. The budget will also show great
improvement.
Following as many of these environmentally-friendly practices as possible will
save money, save energy and also give the congregation the satisfaction of
knowing that they are doing their part in being faithful stewards of the earth.
