Trinity Energy Audit Initiatives made possible with Wayne County Community Foundation Grant

Trinity United Church of Christ - Downtown Wooster

2015/2016 Energy Audit Upgrades

Project scope and funding:

In 2011, Foster Energy Management conducted an energy audit of our building giving us a number of projects that we can do to save energy and reduce our carbon footprint.  As one of our stewardship goals we have made it a goal to reduce our carbon footprint to save both energy and money.    Most of these require significant investment up front with paybacks anywhere between one and ten years.

The following projects were made possible, in part, through a grant from the Wayne County Community Foundation.  We are so thankful for the support of the Wayne County Community Foundation for these projects and the many other initiatives that they support in the community.    

In 2015 and 2016 we worked on three projects:  lighting, appliances  and plumbing.  For the lighting project we updated the fluorescent light fixtures to accept the new LED fluorescent style light bulbs.  In addition, we replaced the other screw in bulbs with LED lights.  In the restrooms we now have motion activated switches that automatically turn on and off.  We also replaced incandescent emergency and exit light signs with LED units.

In the kitchen area, we replaced four old refrigerators and freezers with three new energy efficient appliances.  We now have more storage for our daily breakfast program and spend less on utilities.

 

On the plumbing project we replaced the toilets with energy efficient toilets.

Evaluation of the Project:

We see the project as a great success!  As you can see from the before and after picture of our sanctuary it is much brighter with the new LED light bulbs.  We find this in every room in our church.  Electric has become the most expensive and largest utility.  In comparing the 12 month usage on our May 2017 and May 2016 electric invoices, we are seeing a reduction of 2,174 KWH average per month which results in a savings of $131 per month. 

Future plans for the project:

 Our strategy with the Energy Audit projects is to work on those projects with the quickest returns.  This 2015/2016 project and a couple initiatives we have done before have completed the majority of the quicker return initiatives.  We may, in the future, re-visit the Energy Audit for more projects.

Below are some pictures of the finished project:  

      Our sanctuary before the lighting upgrade.                  Note how much brighter it is after.

 

   



Our outer-Narthex (pictured here) and all hallways are much brighter.  Even the exit signs appear brighter.

Bathrooms are also brighter.  We've also installed two stage energy efficient toilets.

We've replaced old refrigerators and freezers with two energy efficient refrigerators and one freezer.

Wooster Daily Record Article on the project 6/30/17

Thanks again to the Wayne County Community Foundation who helped to make these projects possible.