The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has started awarding “Energy Star” status to churches and other houses of worship that have higher than average standards for energy efficiency, according to the Washington Times.
The “Energy Star” label, which is more commonly associated with household appliances and electronics, has been given out to nine churches across the country so far. To be eligible, a church must be more efficient than 75 percent of similar buildings.
First Parish Church in Needham, Mass., was awarded “Energy Star” status after a $3.3 million renovation to its building, which still has beams from the original construction in 1774. Among the renovations were temperature controls for each room so energy isn't wasted in areas that aren't being used, a ventilation system that adjusts to the number of people inside by measuring the carbon dioxide being exhaled, and new insulation in the meetinghouse walls.
First Parish saw a significant drop in its energy bill, which went from $20,000 to $12,000 in a year. Pastor John Buehrens admits that the energy savings aren’t likely to offset the cost of the renovation any time soon, but says the church did it more to be more responsible stewards of God’s creation.
"You don't spend $3.3 million in order to cut your utility bill in half," he said. "You do it for a much bigger set of reasons."
For churches looking to become more efficient without costly renovations, the Environmental Protection Agency says an easy but effective step is to keep lights off in rooms that aren’t being used, a common problem in church buildings. [washingtontimes.com, 6/5/10]
Get Spirit-filled content delivered right to your inbox! Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
Dr. Mark Rutland's
National Institute of Christian Leadership (NICL)
The NICL is one of the top leadership training programs in the U.S. taught by Dr. Mark Rutland. If you're the type of leader that likes to have total control over every aspect of your ministry and your future success, the NICL is right for you!
FREE NICL MINI-COURSE - Enroll for 3-hours of training from Dr. Rutland's full leadership course. Experience the NICL and decide if this training is right for you and your team.
Do you feel stuck? Do you feel like you’re not growing? Do you need help from an expert in leadership? There is no other leadership training like the NICL. Gain the leadership skills and confidence you need to lead your church, business or ministry. Get ready to accomplish all of your God-given dreams. CLICK HERE for NICL training dates and details.The NICL Online is an option for any leader with time or schedule constraints. It's also for leaders who want to expedite their training to receive advanced standing for Master Level credit hours. Work through Dr. Rutland's full training from the comfort of your home or ministry at your pace. Learn more about NICL Online. Learn more about NICL Online.
