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Awareness | Earth Letter | Articles | Turn Things Off
Blessed Are They Who Turn Things Off
by Andrew Rudin
Since 1976, I have been visiting buildings owned by congregations to advise them on how to use less electricity and fuel. In 1982, I started working for Philadelphia’s Interfaith Coalition on Energy (ICE). ICE serves approximately 4,200 congregations in and around Philadelphia. ICE is a group of eighteen volunteers – engineers, historic preservationists, energy consultants (like me), clergy, and even one psychiatrist. ICE follows several principles:
- Gather measured energy data from each building, and follow where the data lead.
- Represent only the best interests of congregations.
- Develop a copyright-free legacy of research that can be used when times get tough.
- Seek funding only from people of faith – congregations and denominations – rather than from corporations, foundations, utilities, or governments.
- Charge for on-site services and publications (because giving away information makes it seem worthless).
Following these concepts, I have examined hundreds of congregation buildings in many parts of the country. Here are some conclusions:
Each congregation is like a separate planet. Each has its own politics and economics. Every congregant shares in the ownership of the property, yet no one person owns it. This pattern provides a great example of how to solve the energy problems that are coming. It is an alternative to greed and fear preached by our current leaders.
Energy use in religious buildings is exemplary. Unlike what you might expect, worship spaces use relatively small amounts of electricity and fuel. According to the Department of Energy, the only building type that uses less is classified as “vacant.” This is quite an accomplishment and provides models for owners and operators of other buildings.
We can’t play any game without keeping score. Not only are past energy bills important (the more the better), but blueprints, service contracts, equipment repair histories, and past energy surveys are also important. For example, mechanical and electrical blueprints save hours of time tracing out zones and circuits. Previous survey reports provide recommendations that may need to be resurrected.
ICE seeks a “player.” An entire committee cannot effectively manage energy use, any more than a committee can drive a car. Good energy management needs one person who is enthusiastic enough to turn things off, send a few letters, make a few calls, influence purchase decisions, and keep in touch. Energy management is about people more than boilers or lights.
Look where no one has looked, and you will see what no one has seen. When I visit a building, I want to get into every space. Most congregations concentrate on “sacred space” – naves, classrooms, chapels, and offices. I spend more of my time in profane spaces, rooms that are locked and marked with “No Admittance, Danger, Staff Only” – boiler rooms, mechanical equipment rooms, attics, and other places no one wants to enter because they are dim and dirty.
Nothing beats turning things off. The more energy inefficient a lamp is, the more electricity is saved by turning it off. On the other hand, really efficient lamps let us off the hook, because we act as if the longer they are lit, the more electricity we will save. This is an irony about efficiency that “off” resolves. Off is the key. Turning off the lights inside a soda machine may save $300 per year. Who needs to chill drinking water in the winter? Why do steeple lights have to be lit when no one is awake to see them? Why not allow worship spaces to have the same temperature swings as naturally occur in the spring, summer, and fall? (To keep them warmer than those low differentials wastes heating fuel.)
Off applies to new equipment too. Eventually, every roof, light, boiler, and window will need to be repaired or replaced. At that time, energy choices should be based on the cost of ownership, rather than on mere purchase cost. Viewed in this way, slightly additional premiums buy something that lowers energy use – better control, higher efficiency – and is well worth the investment. With that said, any new purchase should also be left off as much as possible.
Old is beautiful. Older buildings tend to use less energy and are constructed out of less toxic material than newer ones. The old buildings come from an era when electricity was rare. Coal fired steam boilers were allowed to go cold. We were less spoiled by air conditioning “comfort candy”. Instead, many old worship spaces have natural ventilation systems, natural lighting and so on. Steam heat, for example, is excellent for spaces that are infrequently used. As oil and gas become less plentiful, we can look at our old buildings to see our future revealed, and then we can apply our best technology to allow that original wisdom to blossom more fully.
The bottom line – you can own the most inefficient buildings and cars imaginable and yet be an environmental hero because you keep them off as much as possible. Many congregations provide admirable examples.
Andrew Rudin is Project
Coordinator for Interfaith Coalition on Energy. For more
information, contact ICE, 7217 Oak Avenue, Melrose Park, PA 19027.
Phone 215-635-1122. Email:
andrewrudin@earthlink.net.
Web article at:
http://www.sustainable.doe.gov/success/interfaith_coalition.shtml