Last time we discussed why energy inefficient churches are losing their power. We learned that inefficient systems and outdated practices are wasting church energy and subsequently wasting church resources. There is certainly a cost to inaction on this issue. That cost is quantified every month in your church’s energy bill. The person reviewing the bill can see first hand the relationship between church activity and energy costs. They have seen energy costs rising over the years and cutting deeper and deeper into the church budget.
In order to stop the bleeding on your church energy bill, you have to first understand where your energy is going. This is where a church energy audit comes in. A commercial grade energy audit is essentially an evaluation of your church’s energy usage. Audits come in many shapes and sizes. Commercial energy audits typically fall into 4 categories: basic, advanced, comprehensive, and future proof. This is not an exhaustive list, but it should give you an idea of what to expect when you contact a energy audit consultant.
Basic Energy Audit:
Most consultants offer a basic audit option that consists of a review of your energy bills. The consultant will look at the energy your church is using and compare prices to see if they can find you a better rate in the market. This of course depends on the state you are in. Some states are now allowing residents and commercial properties to choose their own energy supplier and/or delivery servicer (see my post “where your power comes from” for more detail).
Advanced Energy Audit:
Along with the basic audit, consultants can conduct a site-visit and take an energy inventory of your facilities. They will document every piece of equipment and estimate or measure energy usage. They will analyze their findings and make recommendations for behavioral strategies to reduce your energy usage. They can also come back to check the savings from newly implemented facility management practices.
Comprehensive Energy Audit:
A comprehensive audit includes an Advanced Energy Audit and adds recommendations for relatively low cost energy management solutions. These solutions can include adding smart hardware devices or management software to manage and monitor your facility’s energy usage in real time. These devices allow you to make data-driven adjustments.
Future Proof Energy Audit:
The Future Proofing Audit adds integration recommendations for energy efficient infrastructure either as a retrofit or for a new building. These recommendations can include adding green energy sources like solar power, wind, geo-thermal, or Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Other recommendations may include an overhaul of HVAC systems, water heating systems, lighting systems, control systems, or AV systems. This is a capital campaign level audit that would review architectural and mechanical plans to ensure that GREEN systems will be built into your churches renovation or new building.
Should your church get an energy audit?
I believe every church should find out exactly how their energy is being used. Once you have that knowledge, wise council from energy consultants will show you how to use it more efficiently. If your church leadership is at all concerned with how the church is stewarding its energy, I would highly recommend an audit as a great first step. Which audit to get depends on your churches leadership’s energy goals. In the next post, I will talk more about setting goals for reducing your churches energy usage.
