Churches Going Green

I was really interested to read the article in yesterday's Kennebec Journal about the new Cathedral Church of the Twelve Holy Apostles in Whitefield.  The congregation has built a "green" church with solar panels and other energy efficient design elements.  My favorite quote from the story is this: 

"I have a conviction that it is immoral to waste energy, especially today," [Rev.] Wright added.

Many churches have begun to have energy audits or have begun to "green" their churches with CFL bulbs, solar panels, etc.  Since there are churches in practically every community in the state, I think that churches are great places to start making energy efficient upgrades as an example to other community organizations and businesses - showing that anything you can do to increase the efficiency of a building is a step in the right direction.

The New England Conference of the United Methodist Church, of which I am a member, recently passed a global warming resolution that directs all of our camps and churches to have energy audits and switch to CFL bulbs.  The resolution also urges people to carpool to church meetings, recycle at churches and church sponsored events, and use efficient building standards when constructing new buildings. 

I would love to hear from others whose faith communities are taking steps to increase their efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint.  Please share with us your ideas and thoughts about what is happening in your community. 

Beth

Comments

[Thomas Hoff]

At our church, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Schaumburg, Illinois we haved done a number of things to help save energy. First, a few years ag we replaced all of our exit lights to newer more efficient LED exis lights. Since the older exit lights ran 2 20 watt incandescent lights 24/7, the newer exit lights run 2-3 watt LED lights.

Second, when 2 or 4 bulb flourescent ballasts need replacing, we replace them with T-8 ballasts which use more efficient bulbs and are brighter and last longer. In some cases, instead of using 4 bulbs in the fixture we only use 2, particularly in areas that don't require a grreat deal of light. For example we have replaced overnight lights that are on 24/7.

Still looking for a solution to the 20 recessed can lights in the ceiling of our Sanctuary that use 500 watt bulbs. This throws off a great deal of heat (which would be great to harness) and probably draws a great deal of energy usage. I have considered hanging flouresents, though this will probably detract from the open area ambiance.

Thanks for listening.

[Suzie]

Nice to read about this church, and about your church, Ms. Beth.