Calvary Temple Christian Center - Bridgeport, CTBridgeport, CT Houses of worship take great effort in creating a comfortable environment that welcomes members and guests. But similar to small businesses, houses of worship can be challenged to make ends meet. Reducing monthly bills can benefit the bottom line and efforts undertaken by churches, synagogues or religious establishments. However, many are not aware of the resources available to achieve savings through more sustainable operations.
The “God is Green” initiative in Connecticut, supported by The United Illuminating Company (UI), The University of New Haven and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is helping houses of worship realize savings potential. Partnering with other organizations, such as the Connecticut Green Bank, has expanded the initiatives’ ability to serve houses of worship by allowing them to access the capital needed for energy improvements. Focused on achieving higher energy efficiency through replacement or modifications of systems and equipment, the effort begins with tracking energy use to determine a baseline. This free benchmarking and assistance provided through a partnership with UNH helps assess the available opportunities unique to the needs of the individual church.
For Bridgeport’s Calvary Temple Christian Center, Energize Connecticut’s Small Business Energy Advantage (SBEA) program and the Connecticut Green Bank’s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) provided the framework for implementing energy saving upgrades once the energy tracking analysis revealed opportunities to improve systems.
The church, which serves 500 members, was spending thousands of dollars on oil monthly to fuel an antiquated heating system that was frequently breaking down over the winter. Church managers needed to turn up the heat by 6 p.m. Saturday evening in order for it to be warm enough by 9:30 a.m. for Sunday service. They knew changes had to be made but weren’t sure how and where to begin.
As part of the Energize Connecticut initiative, UI partners with houses of worship to determine specific sustainability solutions and create a plan of action for energy upgrades. UI guided Calvary Temple Christian Center through the necessary steps to improve how they perform financially and environmentally, with the goal to attain long lasting energy savings.
Converting from oil to a new high efficiency gas boiler and the installation of gas pipe insulation fostered significant monthly savings of energy and costs. The new automated system turns on in the morning to bring the church to comfortable temperature in time for morning services.
Calvary Temple Christian Center, which was erected in 1876, also undertook a thorough interior and exterior lighting retrofit, upgrading to more cost effective LEDs.
“Not only has it provided great cost savings, the lighting upgrades have improved the look inside of our building,” said Jenice Thompson, co-pastor of Calvary Temple Christian Center. “The dark wood was looking dark and dingy; now, the LEDs give better illumination and better quality of experience in the building.”
Even the center’s exterior signage was retrofit to LED lighting, a change that provided high quality, improved lighting that demanded less energy.
The SBEA program, offered by UI, was able to secure $9,134 in incentives, and was also able to provide $13,052 in interest free financing.
$51,116 in C-PACE financing was provided through the Connecticut Green Bank. C-PACE financing allowed the house of worship to make energy improvements without upfront costs -since the loan term spread out the cost of fuel conversion and a new boiler over 10 years, Calvary Temple Christian Center realized immediate energy cost savings and increased cash flow from day one. Upgrades not only positively impacted the bottom line, but also set Calvary Temple Christian Center as a leader among houses of worship thinking progressively to serve their parishioners and community.
“We are an inner-city ministry and our funding constantly fluctuates, which greatly affects our budget. These programs are truly a Godsend to help us better serve our members,” said Bishop John Thompson.
Another forward-thinking house of worship, Messiah Baptist Church in Bridgeport has also utilized the SBEA and C-PACE programs. Upgrades implemented in 2014 have resulted in an approximate annual energy savings of more than $9,000. Additional measures approved this past spring will upgrade their HVAC, water heating, and lighting systems, resulting in significant added cost savings.
For some, realizing the potential savings helps to make that first step toward increased sustainability a reality. Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Bridgeport achieved improved energy efficiency performance through behavioral practices of energy conservation. Seeing how these changes in operations and everyday practices provide benefit, this house of worship is currently seeking solutions to upgrade lighting and have the building sealed. Currently, there are 12 houses of worship engaged in the benchmarking process and the Bridgeport Archdioceses has committed to participate with an additional 12-14 parishes.
As an energy authority, UI hopes that more houses of worship will proactively pursue energy efficiency and explore the wide-ranging opportunities available to them through the Energize Connecticut programs.
Information on Connecticut’s energy efficiency programs can be found at EnergizeCT.com or by calling (877) WISE.USE.