Energy and Resources Audit/Solar assessment workshop

Saturday, October 16, 2010

“Energy and Resource Assessments for Faith Buildings” Including “How to Make Solar Power Work for Your Faith Building”

Presented by Green Venture, in cooperation with Environment Hamilton at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church 1107 MAIN ST W., HAMILTON

Green Venture’s Energy Services team demonstrated the following:

1. A Walkthrough Energy Audit for Grace Lutheran church and adjoined hall

2. A Solar Assessment of Grace Lutheran, in potential preparation for solar photovoltaics and a FIT application

The workshop will consist of the following:
1. A walk through of the building, conducted by Green venture’s Certified Energy Advisor and institutional/commercial audit specialist, Will Klassen, reporting the various upgrades already made by the church and areas for improvement.
2. A presentation of the findings, in a slide show format.

3. A solar assessment walk through, conducted by Green Venture’s Certified Energy Advisor and solar specialist, Ken Baigent.

4. A presentation of the solar findings in a slide show format. 5. Q&A

Why have an energy audit?

Whether you are a temple, church, or gurdwara, an energy audit is as important to any long-term capital plan as a thorough building condition assessment.

The major benefit of energy audits is that they allow for the development of an "energy savings plan."

The energy savings plan contributes to the implementation of a capital plan by providing funding from reduced utility bills (in the form of money not spent on utilities) and, to a lesser extent, government subsidies and grants. This augments other sources of funding including reserves and investments and is used to cover the costs of implementing a capital plan.

Including energy audits in capital planning also allows for a holistic approach to planning by incorporating energy efficiency decisions into long-term maintenance programs, equipment acquisitions, and renovations or improvements. It's true it costs to get the audit and to do the renovations, but the long term cost of doing nothing is probably more.
Consider it part of the commitment to living faithfully, living green.

* Green Venture is a not- for- profit organization with years of experience in conducting energy audits. They offer free estimates (provide them with square footage and annual heating costs).

*If you are a Union Gas customer, now's the time to get an audit! Union Gas will pay up to 50% of your energy audit costs. Don't miss out on this opportunity while it lasts.

Union Gas will pay up to 30% of your energy audit cost for your faith building

Hi Everyone and a very happy new year to you all!
I have some exciting news. Faith buildings are considered commerical buildings by Union Gas so if you are a costumer of Union Gas and decide to have an energy audit done on your faith building,they will pay up to 30% of the cost. This is huge.
Green Venture is at the ready to do the audit.

Having an energy audit done provides you with some basic information about current energy use in your building and the potential for more efficient usage. Its the best way to know where your building stands and how to save money in the long run.
Once you have the audit done you can quailify for retrofit grants from the government. This is a win-win situation.

Lastly, Union Gas has a program in place where faith groups can receive free energy saving devices such as the kitchen and bathroom aerators to save water, the free programable thermostats etc.
Please look at the website and please direct any questions to me and i can provide you with further contacts. Their website is www.uniongas.com

Completed Energy Audit: A presentation

October 10th,2009

This Saturday (after a delicious breakfast), Melrose United Church along with GSS Hamilton invited faith group leaders to attend a presentation highlighting the results of the building's complete energy audit.

Participants learned about the auditing process, the cost and the benefits of having an energy audit for their own faith homes.

The audit was conducted by Green Venture with a partial grant from Faith and the Common Good.
About 25 people attended the event.