First of the Year: A Great Time to Start An Energy Diet for Your Church

1/4/2013

By Mike Selleck

January, named after the mythical Roman god, Janus, is represented as a head with two faces, one that looks back and one that looks forward. Pagan statuary aside, this is a great opportunity to examine the energy costs of your church building and ask what your church utilities cost last year, and what can be done to reduce those (and related) costs in the year ahead.

Energy-saving thermostats
For the average home, Consumer Reports suggests programmable thermostats can trim about $180 a year from an energy bill. This is accomplished by automatically adjusting temperatures in buildings and rooms to fit normal use schedules.

Energy-efficient Light bulbs
According to the Department of Energy, "replacing 15 incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving bulbs can save $50 a year and more than $600 in energy costs over the life of the bulbs." Not much more needs to be said here. The newer bulbs cost a bit more up front, but over time the savings is undeniable and significant. The new standards going into effect in 2014 require most screw-in bulbs to consume a minimum of 27% less energy. Last year the old 100 watt bulbs were phased out. This year the same will happen to the 75 watt bulbs.

Free Energy Audits
Ask your energy provider about this service, which most will happily provide for free. They will walk through your building and examine windows and doors, point out air leaks, draft issues, and furnace and cooling concerns. Even small, simple adjustments can mean big savings in a short time.

Protect your Investment
The price of copper is high, and thieves are very aware of this. Primary targets are air conditioner units which are typically placed in hidden areas and are easily removed and carted off. These units have copper coils that mean quick and untraceable cash at scrap yards. Reduce the chances of your church finding yourself a victim of this kind of theft. First, improve visibility around your units by removing decorative bushes that were intended to hide the mechanicals but now simply provide wonderful cover for thieves to work leisurely freeing your unit from hookups. Secondly, find inexpensive ways to make it harder for a thief to pull a unit out. One church used a simple cage design with a padlock near the bottom, to deter theft, (see photo). It's not a guarantee but certainly a significant deterrent. It is also a great time to consider higher efficiency units which can save hundreds of dollars each month.

Review Insurance Policies
Insurance companies like repeat business and will generally work hard to provide you good service. However, there isn't a great deal of incentive to save existing clients money by reviewing existing policies
to lower costs. It is wise to rebid your policies now and again to see how the market responds. Many times you may find better riders, more appropriate arrangements, or weaknesses that should be covered now that weren't critical just a few years ago, and visa versa.

While your policy renewal date may be at some other time of year, nothing prevents you from looking in on things now and serving notice that you are always interested in saving money without weakening your coverages. Many times a significant savings can be had with little more than a phone call.

There are many other inexpensive considerations, or modest improvements that over the months ahead can save your annual budget in significant ways. Ask the Board of Trustees if now is a good time to look back and forward and make 2013 a more efficient and less costly year.

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