How to Green Your Parish or Church

Set the thermostat as low as comfortable (65-68 degrees F is suggested)., Set back the thermostat by as much as 10 °F (−12 °C) at night or when the house or church is unoccupied during the day. , Set back the thermostat to 50–55 °F (10–13 °C) when...

84 Steps 1 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Set the thermostat as low as comfortable (65-68 degrees F is suggested).

Compare the annual energy consumption and operating cost for each appliance by looking at the bright-yellow and black Energy Guide label when shopping for new appliances. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Many companies provide free evaluations for installing wind and solar systems; many programs are available to reduce installation cost. ,,,,,,,,,,, Buy recycled goods, such as paper goods. ,,,
Step 2: Set back the thermostat by as much as 10 °F (−12 °C) at night or when the house or church is unoccupied during the day.
Step 3: Set back the thermostat to 50–55 °F (10–13 °C) when the house or Church is unoccupied for over 24 hours.
Step 4: Install a programmable thermostat to automatically provide the setbacks mentioned above
Step 5: Close the fireplace damper; except
Step 6: of course
Step 7: during fireplace use
Step 8: Reduce heat to unused rooms; close doors and heat registers
Step 9: Close curtains and shades at night.
Step 10: Replace furnace filters once a month during the heating season.
Step 11: Remove any obstructions and clean heating registers regularly.
Step 12: Have certified maintenance personnel service and check your furnace regularly
Step 13: at least every three years for gas fired furnaces.
Step 14: Seal all joints in sheet metal ducts in a forced air furnace with mastic or appropriate tape; insulate ducts passing through unheated spaces.
Step 15: Install insulating gaskets behind electrical outlets and switch plates on exterior walls
Step 16: Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
Step 17: Caulk and seal leaks where plumbing
Step 18: ducting or electrical wiring penetrates through exterior walls
Step 19: floors
Step 20: and ceilings.
Step 21: Upgrade ceiling insulation to R-38 (higher R values mean greater insulation levels and thus more energy savings).
Step 22: Insulate exterior heated basement walls to at least R-11.
Step 23: Insulate floors over unheated areas to R-19.
Step 24: Install storm windows over single pane windows.
Step 25: Replace aging furnace
Step 26: when needed
Step 27: with an energy efficient model.
Step 28: Replace single pane windows with energy efficient double pane windows mounted in non-conducting window frames.
Step 29: Reduce the temperature setting of your water heater to warm (120 degrees F).
Step 30: Add an insulating blanket to your water heater.
Step 31: Wash clothes in warm or cold water using the appropriate water level setting for the load
Step 32: Replace water heater
Step 33: when needed
Step 34: with an energy efficient model
Step 35: Maintain refrigerator at 37 to 40 °F (3 to 4 °C) and freezer section at 5 °F (−15 °C).
Step 36: Maintain stand alone freezer at 0 °F (−18 °C).
Step 37: Choose a refrigerator/freezer with automatic moisture control.
Step 38: Use toaster ovens or microwave ovens for cooking small meals.
Step 39: Adjust the flame on gas cooking appliances so it‚ glows blue
Step 40: not yellow.
Step 41: Replace a gas cooking appliance with a unit with an automatic
Step 42: electric ignition system
Step 43: Run the dishwasher only with a full load of dishes.
Step 44: Air-dry dishes in a dishwasher.
Step 45: Regularly clean the lint filter on your dryer and inspect the dryer vent to ensure it is not blocked.
Step 46: Shut down home computers when not in use.
Step 47: Select appliances (i.e.
Step 48: curling irons
Step 49: coffee pots
Step 50: irons) with time limited shut off switches.
Step 51: Replace aging major appliances
Step 52: TVs and VCRs when needed
Step 53: with energy efficient models.
Step 54: Turn off lights when not in use.
Step 55: Use task lighting whenever possible instead of brightly lighting an entire room.
Step 56: Install compact fluorescent lamps in the fixtures which receive high use.
Step 57: Open windows at night to bring in cool night air; close them during the day.
Step 58: Close drapes during the day.
Step 59: Shade west facing windows.
Step 60: Draw cool night air into the church and home with a whole house fan.
Step 61: Install an evaporative cooler.
Step 62: Use room air conditioning only where needed; install energy efficient models.
Step 63: Install a central system air conditioner only when whole house air conditioning is needed
Step 64: Maintain an air conditioned house at 78 °F (26 °C) or higher.
Step 65: Regularly change air conditioning system filters and clean the condenser.
Step 66: Plant deciduous shade trees on the west and south sides of your church.
Step 67: Install wind or solar.
Step 68: If you really need to drive to school
Step 69: carpool
Step 70: use the bus.
Step 71: Use public transportation.
Step 72: Buy smaller more fuel efficient car.
Step 73: Make sure tire are properly inflated.
Step 74: Travel by air only sparingly
Step 75: short haul flights are most damaging.
Step 76: Install bike racks to encourage use.
Step 77: Organize car pooling schemes.
Step 78: Buy loose fruits and vegetables to reduce packaging.
Step 79: If you have a printer set to print on both sides of page.
Step 80: Dispose by donating and buy recycled.
Step 81: Recycle.
Step 82: Do away with disposable goods such as coffee cups.
Step 83: Install a dishwasher to reduce use of disposables.
Step 84: Conduct a neighborhood cleanup.

Detailed Guide

Compare the annual energy consumption and operating cost for each appliance by looking at the bright-yellow and black Energy Guide label when shopping for new appliances. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Many companies provide free evaluations for installing wind and solar systems; many programs are available to reduce installation cost. ,,,,,,,,,,, Buy recycled goods, such as paper goods. ,,,

About the Author

Brandon Johnson

Committed to making practical skills accessible and understandable for everyone.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Set the thermostat as low as comfortable (65-68 degrees F is suggested).

Step 2: Set back the thermostat by as much as 10 °F (−12 °C) at night or when the house or church is unoccupied during the day.

Step 3: Set back the thermostat to 50–55 °F (10–13 °C) when the house or Church is unoccupied for over 24 hours.

Step 4: Install a programmable thermostat to automatically provide the setbacks mentioned above

Step 5: Close the fireplace damper; except

Step 6: of course

Step 7: during fireplace use

Step 8: Reduce heat to unused rooms; close doors and heat registers

Step 9: Close curtains and shades at night.

Step 10: Replace furnace filters once a month during the heating season.

Step 11: Remove any obstructions and clean heating registers regularly.

Step 12: Have certified maintenance personnel service and check your furnace regularly

Step 13: at least every three years for gas fired furnaces.

Step 14: Seal all joints in sheet metal ducts in a forced air furnace with mastic or appropriate tape; insulate ducts passing through unheated spaces.

Step 15: Install insulating gaskets behind electrical outlets and switch plates on exterior walls

Step 16: Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.

Step 17: Caulk and seal leaks where plumbing

Step 18: ducting or electrical wiring penetrates through exterior walls

Step 19: floors

Step 20: and ceilings.

Step 21: Upgrade ceiling insulation to R-38 (higher R values mean greater insulation levels and thus more energy savings).

Step 22: Insulate exterior heated basement walls to at least R-11.

Step 23: Insulate floors over unheated areas to R-19.

Step 24: Install storm windows over single pane windows.

Step 25: Replace aging furnace

Step 26: when needed

Step 27: with an energy efficient model.

Step 28: Replace single pane windows with energy efficient double pane windows mounted in non-conducting window frames.

Step 29: Reduce the temperature setting of your water heater to warm (120 degrees F).

Step 30: Add an insulating blanket to your water heater.

Step 31: Wash clothes in warm or cold water using the appropriate water level setting for the load

Step 32: Replace water heater

Step 33: when needed

Step 34: with an energy efficient model

Step 35: Maintain refrigerator at 37 to 40 °F (3 to 4 °C) and freezer section at 5 °F (−15 °C).

Step 36: Maintain stand alone freezer at 0 °F (−18 °C).

Step 37: Choose a refrigerator/freezer with automatic moisture control.

Step 38: Use toaster ovens or microwave ovens for cooking small meals.

Step 39: Adjust the flame on gas cooking appliances so it‚ glows blue

Step 40: not yellow.

Step 41: Replace a gas cooking appliance with a unit with an automatic

Step 42: electric ignition system

Step 43: Run the dishwasher only with a full load of dishes.

Step 44: Air-dry dishes in a dishwasher.

Step 45: Regularly clean the lint filter on your dryer and inspect the dryer vent to ensure it is not blocked.

Step 46: Shut down home computers when not in use.

Step 47: Select appliances (i.e.

Step 48: curling irons

Step 49: coffee pots

Step 50: irons) with time limited shut off switches.

Step 51: Replace aging major appliances

Step 52: TVs and VCRs when needed

Step 53: with energy efficient models.

Step 54: Turn off lights when not in use.

Step 55: Use task lighting whenever possible instead of brightly lighting an entire room.

Step 56: Install compact fluorescent lamps in the fixtures which receive high use.

Step 57: Open windows at night to bring in cool night air; close them during the day.

Step 58: Close drapes during the day.

Step 59: Shade west facing windows.

Step 60: Draw cool night air into the church and home with a whole house fan.

Step 61: Install an evaporative cooler.

Step 62: Use room air conditioning only where needed; install energy efficient models.

Step 63: Install a central system air conditioner only when whole house air conditioning is needed

Step 64: Maintain an air conditioned house at 78 °F (26 °C) or higher.

Step 65: Regularly change air conditioning system filters and clean the condenser.

Step 66: Plant deciduous shade trees on the west and south sides of your church.

Step 67: Install wind or solar.

Step 68: If you really need to drive to school

Step 69: carpool

Step 70: use the bus.

Step 71: Use public transportation.

Step 72: Buy smaller more fuel efficient car.

Step 73: Make sure tire are properly inflated.

Step 74: Travel by air only sparingly

Step 75: short haul flights are most damaging.

Step 76: Install bike racks to encourage use.

Step 77: Organize car pooling schemes.

Step 78: Buy loose fruits and vegetables to reduce packaging.

Step 79: If you have a printer set to print on both sides of page.