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Interfaith Works
uses energy audits as a tool to identify building upgrades that
will provide energy and cost savings.
What is an energy audit?
An energy audit is a study that documents how
energy is being used in a religious space. The audit also gives
recommendations for improvements that would conserve energy and,
at the same time, save money.
Energy audits are an important component of the Sanctuary Exchange
program. The audit illustrates the connection between the environment
and religious space and provides concrete steps that can be taken
by a congregation. The audit is the most effective tool that Interfaith
Works uses to assess how we can help and shows the congregation
how money saved can be used for outreach efforts and/or purchasing
renewable power.
Sample energy audits
Below are sample energy audit findings for two churches.
Congregation
#1 has active community outreach programs, uses its building
extensively and lacks funding for major building upgrades. It meets
the criteria for the type of congregation IW's Sanctuary Exchange
program seeks to support.
Congregation #2 does not use its building on a daily basis and
has the financial resources to keep their building upgraded.
Note that if both congregations implement audit recommendations,
Congregation #1 will recover the initial investment in 3.5 years,
whereas Congregation #2 will not fully recover the investment for
almost 9 years. Also, Congregation #1 will realize annual
savings more than 6 times that of Congregation #2.
See Energy
Savings Comparison.
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