LEARN MORE AT energystar.gov ENERGY STAR®, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program, helps us all save money and protect our environment through energy efficient products and practices. For more information, visit www.energystar.gov. ENERGY STAR Congregations: New England Energy Performance Rating for Your House of Worship Improved Stewardship of Energy, Money and the Environment with ENERGY STAR Did you know that a building can earn the ENERGY STAR label just like your office equipment can? An ENERGY STAR labeled facility meets strict energy performance standards set by EPA and uses less energy, is less expensive to operate, and causes fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a non- qualified facility. The nation's estimated 370,000 houses of worship spend more than $3 billion on energy each year—to help counter these costs, ENERGY STAR Congregations helps worship facilities improve their facility performance while reducing energy costs. If America's worship facilities cut energy use by only 10 percent: • About $315 million would be saved for congregations' missions and other priorities. • Nearly 2 billion kWh of electricity would be available without additional cost and pollution. • About 1 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions would be prevented. However, actual savings of about 30% are typically possible. Users have benchmarked over 130,000 commercial buildings and nearly 12,000 have earned the ENERGY STAR label, verifying energy and dollar savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. To read about worship facilities that have earned the label, please visit www.enerqvstar.gov/buildinqlist. To qualify for the ENERGY STAR, a building must score in the top 25 percent based on EPA's National Energy Performance Rating System. To determine the performance of a facility, EPA's Portfolio Manager tool compares energy use among other, similar types of facilities on a scale of 1- 100; buildings that achieve a score of 75 or higher are eligible for the ENERGY STAR. An ENERGY STAR labeled worship facility typically uses 30% less energy than an average house of worship. The EPA rating system accounts for differences in operating conditions, regional weather data, and other important considerations. To sign up for a free Portfolio Manager Account and get started, please visit www.enerqvstar.gov/benchmark. To join ENERGY STAR for Congregations, go to: www.enerqvstar.qov/ioin Questions, Looking for more Information? Contact Wadi Muhammad ENERGY STAR Congregations Program muhammad.wadi@epa.gov (617)918-1807 A National Energy Performance Rating For Congregations The Environmental Protection Agency has expanded the National Energy Performance Rating system to worship facilities based on the Department of Energy's Energy most 2003 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS). The rating helps individual managers to accurately assess the energy performance of their buildings; make more informed budgetary, investment and management decisions. Ultimately enabling them to calculate and communicate their environmental stewardship achievements to clergy and members, as well as the larger community. First Parish in Needham, Unitarian Universalist (Labeled in 2010) Of the 11 Houses of Worship which have earned the ENERGY STAR to date, First Parish in Needham Massachusetts is the only facility located in New England. First Parish earned a score of 94 out of 100 on EPA's Energy Performance Scale. First Parish also won a 2010 ENERGY STAR for Congregations Award. First Parish is Needham's oldest religious community. Its current meeting house was built in 1836 and is the oldest public building in Needham. In 2007-8, the church was completely renovated, with added meeting space and classrooms, which created a larger, more useful, and environmentally progressive house of worship. The renovated building is now 25% larger at 15,000- square-feet, but despite its larger size and the addition of air conditioning, the new building has reduced First Parish's utility costs by 50%. Elements that contribute to the building's energy efficiency include: a high efficiency boiler and air conditioning, improved ventilation, new windows, improved lighting and more efficient appliances. Additionally, First Parish installed temperature monitors throughout to automatically control the heating/cooling. Visit www.enerpystar.pov/conprepations for more information on ENERGY STAR resources and recognition. ------- LEARN MORE AT energystar.gov ENERGY STAR®, a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program, helps us all save money and protect our environment through energy efficient products and practices. For more information, visit www.energystar.gov. ENERGY STAR Congregations: New England Annual Awards for Excellence in Energy Management 2010 ENERGY STAR Saving energy is about more than saving money. It demonstrates a congregation's commitment to environmental stewardship, as well as financial. Such a congregation can lead its members and local community to similar successes. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized congregations for superior energy savings since 1999 with the ENERGY STAR Congregations Award. This award is presented each year to those congregations that have improved energy efficiency of their facilities through strategic management and facility improvements during the prior two years. Winners receive an ENERGY STAR award plaque, local public announcements, and permanent recognition on the ENERGY STAR website and in a national press release. ENERGY STAR has recognized 46 congregations with such awards since the inception of the program—of those 46, eight have been in New England. Facilities have done all types of improvements from larger scale heating/cooling system upgrades to simple lighting projects and no-cost, low-cost maintenance strategies—but all award winners have achieved significant energy savings. Detailed stories of these award winners and all others are online at www.energystar.gov/CongregationAwards Congregation Or Shalom, Orange CT (2008 Winner) Congregation Or Shalom began its journey toward energy efficiency like most congregations—with a desire to improve energy efficiency and reduce operating expenses. It continued with the involvement of many of the 350 member families—and focused primarily on lighting improvements. I The congregation, whose name means Light of Peace, chose to work with the facilities staff, the existing facilities budget, and member volunteers to implement an energy saving plan and make it affordable. Installation of compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) and lighting controls were steps toward major savings. Just switching bulbs generated an estimated savings of $473 annually. They also replaced old appliances with ENERGY STAR qualified equipment; placed reminder notices on thermostats in public areas to turn them off when not occupied; and set up a maintenance program for regular service on the heating and air conditioning systems. Dennis Union Church, Dennis MA (2008 Winner) Dennis Union Church was able to add 5,000 square feet of new space, renovate, and add central air conditioning to their facility and still lower their annual energy bills. Thoughtful planning, assistance and rebates from local energy organizations, and technical support made it all possible. The congregation embarked on an ambitious $2.5 million renovation and expansion program in 2003. Concerns about energy consumption and carbon footprint mandated that the renovated building consume less energy post- renovation. Because Dennis Union is a congregational church, members are highly involved in the decision- making process, consistent with their faith tradition. Regular congregational meetings were held to discuss the project and the expected outcomes while weekly updates were given on project progress. On opening weekend, facility tours highlighted the energy efficiency measures. Ultimately, in addition to new construction, approximately 2/3 of the existing facility was renovated and most of the electrical, plumbing and HVAC infrastructure was replaced. Even with the new addition, Dennis Union Church saved 1,308 kWh of electricity in 2008 and reduced their overall electric bill by $262. For the 2011 award application and guidance, please visit www.energystar.gov/congregations. Visit www.enerpystar.pov/conprepations for more information on ENERGY STAR resources and recognition. ------- |