Environmental Stewardship Commission (MEESC)

From "A Resolution on Church Buildings and Grounds, and Church-Related Activities"
passed at the 143rd Annual Convention (October 27-29, 2000)

"THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the staff and membership of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota engage in building actions and cultural activities with prayerful considerations about the impact these actions will have on our Earth home.  Ways we will live into this approach are the use of renewable, sustainable clean energy."

Thoughts on how to implement this concept
by Mary Anderson

Our church buildings, homes, and structures are outward and visible signs of our commitment to God’s purposes.  These structures are a reflection of our awareness that God calls all of us to live in harmony with the earth and to be good stewards of all God’s creations.  When we built our home three years ago we used these principles to guide its design and construction with an emphasis placed on energy conservation.

There are numerous products available to minimize energy consumption and reduce our contribution to greenhouse gases and global warming.  One area in which energy savings can be made is in the appliances we choose for our homes and churches.

• Hot water heaters consume a large portion (if not the largest) of the household energy budget.  By using a high efficiency water heater you can cut your annual bills by as much as $100.
• Another type of water heater saves energy by eliminating the need to keep 30-80 gallons (115-300 liters) of water hot until it’s needed. These are known as instantaneous or tankless heaters.  They are installed at the point of use and they can reduce energy consumption by as much as 20%.
• Refrigerators are another large consumer of electricity in the typical household.  There are models available that use one fifth of the electricity that the average refrigerator uses, and operate for as little as $50 per year.
• Dishwashers are another appliance in which energy consumption can be reduced.  Newer models cut hot water usage by as much as 40% to only a little more than 5 gallons (19 liters) per cycle.
• Front loading washing machines are another way to reduce hot water use and costs.  By spinning the tub on a horizontal axis less water and soap are used to get clothes clean than is used by a conventional top-loading machine in which more water is required to immerse the clothes.

Be careful when purchasing any of these newer appliances though because in most cases they come equipped with clocks, remote controls, or other energy requiring devices which remain on even when the unit is turned off creating what are called phantom loads.

Another area in which significant reductions in energy use can be made is in lighting.  Compact fluorescent bulbs produce as much light as an incandescent bulb but for about one fourth the amount of energy.  And since these bulbs last much longer, they can save as much as $50 per bulb per year.  In addition, an 18-watt compact fluorescent bulb requires burning 500 fewer pounds (230 fewer Kilograms) of coal which saves 1300 pounds (590 Kg) of global warming carbon dioxide, and 20 pounds (9 Kg) of acid rain causing sulfur dioxide during the course of its life.

Other products, which have undergone remarkable improvements in energy efficiency, are windows, doors, and insulation.  A wide range of window options exist from the number of panes in the window, to the type of gas in between the panes, to the material used to separate the panes, or to the type of glass used and whether or not it is coated.  All of these features effect the amount of light that passes through the window and the amount of heat that escapes which determines its energy efficiency.  Doors vary in the type and amount of insulation in them, and in the type and method of weather-stripping that seals the door when it closes.  And new insulation materials with R-values up to 40 have been developed to help hold heat in during the winter and keep heat out during the summer.

In addition to these appliances, fixtures, and materials, consideration should also be given to the heating and cooling systems.  First among them are systems that do not require the use of fossil fuels that contribute to global warming.  These include passive solar heat, wind generation, and photovoltaic systems.  These systems rely on the sun to create heat either directly in the case of passive solar, or indirectly through modules that convert sunlight into electricity, or through wind that turns turbines that create electricity.  Another option is a ground source heat pump, which utilizes the 55º F (13º C) heat of the ground to heat your home during the winter and cool your home during the summer.

But remember, even if you choose not to invest in any of these more efficient technologies, you can still have a meaningful impact on energy consumption by choosing to conserve our energy resources.  Simply turning down the thermostat, turning off the lights when not in use, or not letting the water run needlessly will all help to preserve this wonderful planet God has given us.
 

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