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PA IPL offers low-cost energy assessments to member congregations. Join today and make arrangements to have one done at your house of worship.
What is a walk-through energy assessment? This photo essay from an audit at PA IPL member Houserville United Methodist Church on October 22, 2011, should give you an idea. Houserville UMC is a typical small congregation in Central PA. The original building is 150 years old and has been added onto many times. |
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Energy Assessments: one congregation’s story |
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Some suggestions are easy: An unused chimney in the basement at Houserville UMC – the church can save 10% of their heating bill or more by installing a $25 plug.
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This audit took just under two hours. Executive minister Ralph Poorman and Trustee board chair Kevin Corman prepared two years of utility bills in advance. Certified energy auditor Peter Dugas covers the entire building and discusses special issues with the staff. Here, Poorman points out the beautiful, but inefficient stained glass that adorns the sanctuary. |
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Another simple fix: Peter recommends removing items from around radiators to make them more efficient. |
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Other things are more complicated: Single-pane windows in a heated basement area can result in a lot of heat-loss. A view with an infrared camera helps quantify the loss. Peter recommends sealing with plastic, since replacement windows are expensive. |
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The infrared camera is a great toy. Poorman and Corman look on while Peter surveys the church’s exterior walls and PA IPL Americorps volunteer Kris Klotz shivers on a chilly fall day.
After completing the walk-through, Peter crunches the numbers and makes a presentation to the congregation, detailing specific recommendations for changes along with an estimated payback. Some investments will pay for themselves in a few years, while others will take much longer to bear fruit. PA IPL recommends beginning with the “low-hanging fruit” and then establishing a plan to re-invest savings into the building.
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Update from the summer of 2012: Working with Peter’s suggestions, Houserville UMC and the Creation Care Coalition of Centre County held a work party to build simple window frames to fit over drafty basement windows at the church. This is a cheap and easy way to save heating costs in this much-loved community space. |