Transcript Slide 1
The T’Green Olam Committee (A few highlights) • Helped raise awareness of environmental issues in the congregation • Planted a community garden • Implemented green landscape management and green cleaning practices • Participated in political action as a community (e.g. Anti-fracking in Trenton) • Saved a lot of $$$$ on Energy Expenses Think about the building • Think in a different way about how space is utilized. Conditioning spaces adds costs. • Understand zones within your building. • Schedule Meetings in smallest room that comfortably accommodates the group. • Are outside doors propped open during events, school arrival hours, etc? The “Restaurant” in our Building • Catered events not booked every week – opportunities are available to save energy by powering down equipment. • Installed “pump down” switches to safeguard equipment. This was our only expenditure toward savings (~$500) • We use a Google calendar to make info accessible to schedule power downs and start ups of walk-in refrigeration. Saving Energy • Setback temperatures according to vacancy • Move activities into a single zone when multiple zones are conditioned (if possible) • If a room is used 10 hours/week, make it comfortable; you can save energy for the other 158 hours of the week • Collaborating with maintenance staff is key. They are “on the ground”. Challenges • Maintenance Staff must buy in. • Building users should understand their comfort should not be impacted. • Don’t rely on others’ sense of comfort – use thermometers. • Reinforce the goals: save money, better for the environment, help secure energy independence for the US. The $$$$ of Saving Energy • As a result of cutting our energy consumption, and also lowering costs through a purchasing collaborative, our annual energy outlays: 2007 $62,562.61 2008 $66,845.81 2009 $48,713.90 2010 $46,202.24 2011 $41,199.81 What the Contest Accomplished • Raised awareness within the community • Provided publicity for our efforts which resulted in an article in local media • Subsequent coverage in three more articles • Greenfaith award, which generated additional coverage • Leveraged our work beyond our own walls What GreenFaith Brought to the Table: • A systematic approach to achieving goals • Resources to help sort our community’s priorities • Experienced leaders to nurture our motivation and inform our pursuits • Entry into a collective that amplifies the voices of social justice and environmental stewardship • An efficient mechanism for leveraging our work beyond our own congregation. • Wise and compassionate allies Mark Niederman, LEED® A.P. Email: [email protected]