 St. Luke's is one of the runner up award winners of the national Interfaith Power & Light (IPL) 2024 Cool Congregations Challenge. The contest is sponsored by Interfaith Power & Light, a nonprofit organization inspiring and mobilizing people of faith and conscience to take bold and just action on climate change. The Cool Congregations Challenge, is an annual national contest recognizing “Cool Congregations” that are becoming energy efficient and sustainable role models within their communities. This contest accepts applications from religious congregations around the United States who are doing work to address global warming by reducing their carbon footprint. There were 125 applicants for six entry categories. St Luke's won an Energy Saver award for cutting energy use 56% switching to LED lighting, upgrading to efficient gas stacking boilers & building automation and installing solar. We have been awarded a $500 runners-up award. The following Energy Update describes the many energy initiatives we have undertaken at St Luke’s. Energy Update Since 2020 St Lukes has undertaken significant energy saving initiatives including installation of solar panels, a new 96% efficient boiler system, a new building automation system and additional conversion to LED lighting. These changes have resulted in significant energy cost reductions as well as significant reduction of greenhouse gas production. Outside temperature variations and changing building use patterns over the years also affect energy use. The new boiler system consists of 4 interacting heating modules. As temperatures drop outside, additional modules are only engaged when more heat is needed thereby making the system very efficient. The new building automation system provides both electric and gas savings due to more efficient electric motors and better temperature control. During 2018, before the updates, our electric usage was 147,139 kWh and natural gas usage for heating was 14,509 therms. During 2023, the electric use was 68,240 kWh and gas was 8,017 therms, a 54% reduction in electric use and 45% reduction in gas use. Our energy use reduction resulted in a carbon emission reduction of over 129,000 lbs of CO2 into the atmosphere. The solar panels generated approximately 75,000 kWh of electricity during the past year resulting in over a $5,000 reduction in energy charges. In addition, the PV credit from the solar panels was over $2,400 and the Saver Switch credit from the air conditioners was $1,530, further reducing our electric bill. Also, the Demand Charge on the electric bill is approximately $200 less due to St Luke's using less electricity during the year. The total cost savings of these initiatives was approximately $12,000 for electricity costs and $4,000 for natural gas costs. For comparison, the electric bill for 2018 was $17,775 and the bill for 2023 was $5,834, a savings of almost $12,000. Other energy efficient upgrades in 2023 included the installation of the new roofing in the the education wing which allowed for the installation of R30 installation to that roof section. The conversion to LED lighting in the education wing and the sanctuary will also provide future energy savings. Much thanks to all who helped make this happen including Larry Nelson, Marc Dunham, Mark Hagelin, Jean Lingen, Kevin Schulz, David Carpenter, and others. If you are interested in helping on the Energy Committee, please contact Larry Nelson.
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