Video & Audio ~ Advocacy ~ Conservation  
     
 

Communities of faith have a responsibility to be good stewards of the earth.  We inherently believe in our responsibility to look out for the welfare of future generations.  The process of moving our society away from dependence on fossil fuels, and towards clean energy, efficiency, and sustainability, is in fact a journey which must start in our places of worship and gathering as well as in our own homes.  Below are some basic steps you can take in your home, office, or facility to reduce the amount of energy consumed, begin or enhance your stewardship, and set an example for your neighbors, children, and elected officials.  It is important that we begin to look at energy conservation and efficiency as a moral imperative.  We not only have a responsibility to embark on this journey, but as communities of faith, we should be leaders.

  
     
   
   
 

Install Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs:
Energy Star qualified Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) emit the same light as classic incandescent, but use 65%-75% less electricity and last up to 10 times longer (average lifespan of a CFL is five years), saving $30 or more in energy costs over each bulb's lifetime. According to the EPA, if all American homes replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an Energy Star approved compact fluorescent light bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, save over $600,000 in energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars. 
 

Pull the Plug:
Many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched off. These "phantom" loads occur in most appliances that use electricity, such as VCRs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances. This also includes all radios, cell phone and mp3 chargers, fans and other personal electronics. This phenomenon is known as "leaking electricity" and is responsible for an estimated 45 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity consumed by U.S. households each year—nearly 5 percent of total residential electricity use—and costs U.S. consumers more than $3.5 billion annually. .This can be avoided by unplugging the appliance or using a power strip and using the switch on the power strip to cut all power to the appliance.
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Cooling and Heating your home efficiently: 
It is very important to pay attention to your thermostat.  Something as simple as turning your thermostat up two degrees in the summer and down two in the winter can make a huge difference. For detailed information and tips please click on this link for the Energy Star website. 
 

Insulation:
Insulation can help keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Your heating and cooling systems don’t have to work as hard in a home that is properly insulated. Click on this link for great insulation tips.
 

Drive Sensibly: 
Maintain the speed limit, keep your car in shape, purchase a gas efficient vehicle
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For more great tips please click here.
 
     
     
   
 
  • Maximize natural light and turn off unnecessary office lights. Make sure all lights are turned off before going home
     
  • Switch to Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFL’s: Energy Star qualified Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) emit the same light as classic incandescents, but use 65%-75% less electricity and last up to 10 times longer (average lifespan of a CFL is five years), saving $30 or more in energy costs over each bulb's lifetime.
     
  • Turn off office equipment such as printers, computers, fax machines and the coffee maker at night and when not in use. Adjust power management settings to activate "sleep" mode during periods of inactivity.
     
  • Keep windows and doors closed to prevent the loss of cooled air. Adjust blinds and window coverings on windows that receive direct sun.
     
  • Dress comfortably for the weather. Adjust your layers of clothing before adjusting the thermostat.
     
  • When buying PCs, monitors, printers, fax machines and copiers, consider buying ENERGY STAR® models that can switch to a power-saving mode when not in use.
     
  • Use a laptop computer instead of a desktop computer. The laptop will consume 90 percent less energy.
     
  • Implement a mug policy at work, where you ask employees to only use mugs and glasses instead of disposable cups.
     
  • An ink-jet printer consumes 90 percent less energy than a laser printer.
     
  • Use recycled paper with a high percentage of post-consumer content and the minimum of chlorine bleaching. Also, print on both sides of the page when appropriate and use misprints as notepaper.
     
  • If your office ships packages, reuse boxes and use shredded waste paper as packing material.
     
  • Consider buying a laptop for your next computer upgrade; they use much less energy than desktop computers.
     
  • Common misconceptions sometimes account for the failure to turn off equipment. Many people believe that equipment lasts longer if it is never turned off. This incorrect perception carries over from the days of older mainframe computers. There is also a common misconception that screen savers reduce energy use by monitors; they do not.
 
     
   
 
  • Have a qualified professional perform an energy audit. Check with your utility company for names of auditors
     
  • Measure and track energy performance.
     
  • Turn off lights when not in use or when daylight can be used.
     
  • Purchase energy-efficient products like ENERGY STAR qualified office equipment.
     
  • Install lighting occupant sensors in proper locations.

  • Tune up heating/air-conditioning (HVAC) system with an annual maintenance contract.
     
  • Regularly change or clean HVAC filters and install a programmable HVAC thermostat.
     
  • Replace incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent lights (CFLs).
     
  • Install LED (light-emitting diode) exit signs.
     
  • Control direct sun through windows in both summer and winter to prevent or encourage heat gain.
     
  • Use ceiling fans for lower-cost comfort.
     
  • Plug air leaks with weather stripping and caulking.
 
     
   
 

To view the Energy Star Congregations Energy Guide please click here.

For many more great tips please click here.