CHANGE FOR THE a better with ENERGY STAR Buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR® prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. www.energystar.gov STEWARDSHIP of the Earth. Stewardship of Funds. Virtually all faith traditions teach stewardship of life- supporting natural resources. Energy efficiency improves financial stewardship by saving utility funds. Your congregation, through energy efficiency in your house of worship, in members' homes and businesses can help protect the earth for future generations. PUTTING ENERGY INTO STEWARDSHIP The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR Congregations Network provides free information, technical support and public recognition for congregations that take significant action against energy waste. In 2007, with the help of ENERGY STAR, Americans prevented global warming emissions equivalent to those of 27 million cars - while saving more than $16 billion on utility bills. A Call to Action ENERGY STAR is ready to work with your congregation. Are you ready to strengthen your stewardship of your funds and of our earth? Your congregation can join ENERGY STAR online at www.energystar.gov/congregations. Your members with businesses can learn how to save money at www.energystar.gov/smallbiz. Members can learn about home energy efficiency at www.energystar.gov/homeimprovement. CHANGE FOR THE BETTER WITH ENERGY STAR SEPA United States Environmental Protection Agency ------- CHANGE FORTHE BETTER WITH ENERGY STAR Putting Energy into Stewardship OFFICE AND KITCHEN EQUIPMENT ¦ Always buy ENERGY STAR qualified equipment for your congregation, business and home. The ENERGY STAR indicates the most efficient models of more than 40 products. LIGHTING ¦ Turn off lights (and other eguipment) when not in use. High utility costs often include paying for energy that is completely wasted. ¦ Install "occupancy sensors" to automatically turn off lighting when no one is present, and back on as people return. ¦ Install compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) to replace incandescent light bulbs wherever appropriate. CFLs cost about 75% less to operate, and last about 10 times longer. ¦ Install ENERGY STAR Qualified LED (light- emitting diode) exit signs to cut maintenance by eliminating lamp replacement for about 10 years, while using about 5 watts or 1/8 the energy of a typical exit sign. HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING ¦ Set up an HVAC "maintenance contract" for "tune-up" of your HVAC system before heating and cooling seasons to protect performance. A maintenance contract costs about $100-$150 yearly, and can pay for itself in energy savings. A contract ensures that your HVAC contractor will schedule tune-ups even if you forget. ¦ Change HVAC filters (or clean if reusable) every month during peak cooling or heating season. New filters are inexpensive. Dirty filters waste energy, overwork the equipment, and provide poor indoor air quality. ¦ Install an ENERGY STAR Qualified programmable thermostat to optimize the operation of your HVAC system on a "24/7" basis for savings, comfort and convenience. The control is based on your schedule, and is easily "overridden" as needed. A "smart thermostat" ranges from $25 - $150, depending on features. ¦ Use fans. Comfort is a function of temperature, humidity, and air movement. Fans can help delay or reduce the need for air conditioning by making a higher temperature feel more comfortable. Each degree of higher temperature can save about 3% on cooling cost. ¦ Plug leaks with weather-stripping and caulking for controlled ventilation, rather than random air infiltration. To learn more about indoor air quality in your building visit www.epa.gov/iag WATER - HOT AND COLD ¦ Fix leaks. Small leaks add up to many gallons and dollars wasted, especially hot water. ¦ Buy an ENERGY STAR Qualified water heater when a new one is needed. Consider a "tankless" water heater to reduce "standby" storage costs and waste. ¦ Set water temperature at about 110-120 degrees to prevent dangerous scalds and save energy. To join ENERGY STAR, fill-in and fax this sheet to 703-689-4427 or sign-up online at www.enerqvstar.gov/conqreqations Yes, we would like to join the ENERGY STAR Congregations Network. We believe that greater energy efficiency can improve our stewardship of financial and natural resources, and help preserve the environment for future generations. I am authorized to pledge that our congregation will buy ENERGY STAR equipment and upgrade our house of worship's energy efficiency, whenever we determine it is financially viable. Therefore, we may use the ENERGY STAR mark consistent with the ENERGY STAR identity guidelines. CONGREGATION NAME* CONTACT NAME* TITLE ADDRESS* CITY* STATE/ZIP* E-MAIL* PHONE* FAX WEB SITE APPROXIMATE FACILITY SQ. FT OWN ? or RENT?. Please check one NUMBER OF MEMBERS (OPTIONAL) United States Environmental Protection Agency ------- |