BLOGS
Churches across the country are stepping up. Read their stories and access other climate and energy resources here.
More than Swapping Out Boilers: Fifth Avenue Memorial's Heating System Upgrade
In 2019, Fifth Avenue Memorial faced another critical project when its heating system unexpectedly failed. The scope of the replacement became larger than just simply swapping out its boiler and included a complete overhaul of its existing heating system.
Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church in Medicine Hat, Alberta has consistently demonstrated a willingness to step up and support important building projects in times of necessity. Historically, congregants have banded together to gather tens of thousands of dollars in a relatively short timespan. This collective effort has helped address projects such as the replacement of the church’s original roof, the repair and tuning of its pipe organ, and the restoration of its stained glass windows.
In 2019, the 1923-built church faced another critical project when its heating system unexpectedly failed.
Fifth Avenue Memorial United’s custodian’s dismay as she examines the damage to their failed steam boiler.
It all had to go
When the damage of their steam boiler system was assessed, it became evident that obtaining replacement parts would take between 8 to 10 months, and they would come at a steep price. It was revealed that even after repairs, ongoing maintenance would be necessary annually or biannually for the foreseeable future. Fifth Avenue Memorial United faced a daunting reality. The scope of the replacement became larger than just simply swapping out its boiler.
“It all had to go – The only realistic option was a total replacement. The old steam pipes were developing more pinhole leaks, the pipes were getting clogged up with corrosion and deposits, and the steam traps were, as often as not, corroded open, corroded shut, or corroded partially open.” explained Geoff Coley, Board Chair, Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church.
As a complete overhaul, Fifth Avenue Memorial United decided to replace its old, failed single steam boiler with a new hydronic heating system, with a set of three new and smaller, high-efficiency hot water boilers. This project would also involve all of the existing steam piping, steam traps, valves, and fittings being removed and replaced as needed along with removing the radiators in its basement.
“While the bigger than expected project came at an increased cost, the result is a system which is far more energy efficient than a simple boiler swap. Having three smaller boilers instead of just one gives us a safety net. If one boiler completely and suddenly fails, we will not be left without heat in the dead of winter while repairs are done.” noted Coley.
Delay in acquiring equipment & prolonged building shutdown
Upon receiving project funding approval of $30,000 from Faithful Footprints to help offset the total cost of nearly $200,000, Fifth Avenue Memorial United began their project immediately — amidst the challenging time of COVID-19.
The global supply chain disruptions led to delays in acquiring equipment, leaving parts of the building unheated throughout the winter months.
“We had a good part of one winter where we had exactly zero gas heat in the building - the old boiler had gaping holes in it and the replacement boilers had not yet arrived.”
Innovative solutions were implemented, including the relocation of activities to warmer spaces and the use of winter coats and electric heaters.
“The unfortunate timing of the heating system failure during the COVID-19 pandemic forced prolonged building shutdowns. This resulted in us having to work very hard to re-engage people to return to full attendance, full participation, and full giving. Fortunately we have a core of very faithful and dedicated people of all ages who are fully committed to seeing us rebuild and continue our mission.” shared Coley.
A Transformation in Heating Efficiency
Following renovations, the sanctuary retained its familiar appearance while a significant upgrade to a new, highly efficient hydronic heating system silently improved the comfort and sustainability of Fifth Avenue Memorial United.
With a thermal efficiency rating of 94.5%, significantly higher than the old steam boiler's 79.9%, energy consumption has markedly decreased. The installation of brand-new, smooth bore pipes ensures optimal fluid conveyance, minimizing leaks and maximizing efficiency. Notably, the exhaust vents have undergone a drastic reduction in size, with each of the three new water boilers having a 4-inch vent compared to the previous 20-inch diameter vent. The switch results in a total vent area that is less than 15% of the size of the old exhaust, significantly reducing heat loss.
One year post-renovation, Fifth Avenue Memorial United achieved impressive environmental gains, including a 50.9% reduction in natural gas usage, a 46.3% decrease in total greenhouse gas emissions, and a 21.4% reduction in electricity consumption.
However, Fifth Avenue Memorial United’s heating system upgrade goes further than just environmental and climate impact reductions.
“Instead of using the money to pay utility bills; the savings from our new heating system will allow us to continue our support to the downtown community, social justice, and other areas of ministry and outreach. For example, being able to continue to offer space year-round for community events such as choir concerts, one of which has already been booked after a long drought caused by COVID-19 and a broken boiler. ” shared Coley
“Events such as these will give us the opportunity to showcase, not a new furnace, but a renovation that is reducing our carbon footprint. Each of these events will effectively be celebrations, and opportunities to share our story — that we not only have a warm sanctuary, but we have it in a way that is environmentally friendly and is going to cost us less in utility bills. It will shine a light on the various community and social programs that we can continue to support as a vital, involved, downtown church.”
Work Ahead
The larger boiler replacement project at Fifth Avenue Memorial United remains ongoing. Approximately $14,000 is yet to be covered for remaining tasks and unanticipated expenses encountered along the way. In the near future, the church plans to install a new forced air system on the basement level, hot water tanks that use heat from the boiler system, and programmable thermostats.
The new system will also provide improved zone-by-zone temperature control with programmable temperature setbacks. The newly installed system will eliminate the single-point-of-failure boiler with a modular system with backup capacity in case of a boiler failure. The new equipment is computer-controlled and can automatically troubleshoot any sudden issues remotely. This reduces the number of onsite service calls.
Looking ahead, the church is committed to further modernizing various systems through its building. This includes continuing its transition to energy-efficient light bulbs and electrical fixtures and exploring the possibility of solar panels on a section of its roof to help reduce its carbon footprint.
Faithful Footprints Program
The United Church of Canada’s Faithful Footprints program offers inspiration, tools, and grants to help its faith communities reduce their carbon footprint. With the Church’s commitment to reducing its greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions by 80% by 2030, this one-of-a-kind program offers up to $30,000 in grants towards energy conservation and renewable energy projects (conditions apply).
Faith & the Common Good is the delivery partner for the Faithful Footprints program. To date, we have engaged over 400 congregations, camps, and buildings across the country. Your participation in the program puts your faith into action and helps the Church reach its target.
Aleyxa Gates Julien is the PR/Communications Coordinator for Faithful Footprints and can be reached at agatesjulien@faithcommongood.org.
Decarbonizing building operations: an effective strategy for cutting emissions
Emissions reduction is the measurable reduction of the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon into the atmosphere from a specified activity. Operational carbon, the amount of carbon emitted during the operating or in-use phase of a building, accounts for a large proportion of emissions released globally.
“The Faithful Footprints Grant helped us accomplish our goal to get as close to zero carbon emissions as possible for a historical building such as ours.”
- St. George and St. Andrew United Church, Annapolis Royal, NS
Emissions reduction is the measurable reduction of the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon into the atmosphere from a specified activity. Operational carbon, the amount of carbon emitted during the operating or in-use phase of a building, accounts for a large proportion of emissions released globally. Building operations include the activities necessary to operate, maintain, and manage spaces. Tackling how we run our buildings is an effective mitigation strategy for lowering emissions.
With many new buildings designed to operate from renewable energy sources, existing older buildings are where a significant shift away from carbon-based operations will need to be focused. Deep retrofits of existing buildings are critical to driving emissions down within the Canadian built environment.
The United Church of Canada acknowledges its “particular responsibility as a religious institution” to dramatically reduce its carbon footprint. The Church has said the focus of its efforts must be its buildings since heating and lighting are its largest carbon emitters. Retrofitting its historical buildings can accelerate reductions, helping to meet its national goal of reducing carbon emissions by 80% by 2030..
Reducing operational carbon, one project at a time
“As a person who has converted to solar and electric heat pumps, I was eager to help move our church to becoming carbon neutral.”
- Alexander MacKay, Chair - Trustees, Central Trinity United Church, Breadalbane, PE
The transition to a building stock with zero or near zero operational carbon is a long way off. Deep retrofits require an extensive overhaul of a building’s systems. Lack of funding, resources, capacity, and tricky timelines, are other barriers that limit the consideration of full building decarbonization retrofits. While some United Church buildings have managed to go completely net zero, like Old Barns United Church in Lower Truro, Nova Scotia, most are taking the transition one project at a time.
With support from The United Church of Canada’s energy efficiency and decarbonization grant retrofit program, Faithful Footprints, faith communities across Canada are pushing the needle to reduce their operational carbon by replacing oil and gas-fueled heating and cooling systems with electrical and renewable alternatives
Central Trinity United Church in Breadalbane, PE, replaced an oil furnace and oil tank with heat pumps. With a similar project, St. George and St. Andrew United Church in Annapolis Royal, NS, replaced several oil furnaces and an oil tank with three heat pumps and an oil-fired hot water heater with an electrical hot water heater. Shawville United Church in Shawville, QC, replaced an oil boiler with an electric boiler, while Duncan United Church in Duncan, BC, replaced its last oil furnace with an air-to-air heat exchanger.
Oil tank that was removed and newly installed heat pumps at Central Trinity United Church, Breadalbane, PE
New ductwork to support heat pumps at St. George and St. Andrew United Church in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia
Boiler replacement at Shawville United Church in Shawville, QC
New air to air heat exchanger at Duncan United Church in Duncan, BC
Going deeper, doing more
“STASH is a system which stores heat pump energy on milder days of the year and makes it available to support the air pump on cold days when efficiencies to get heat are less efficient. When STASH technology becomes available, we will replace the basement heating system with an air source heat pump solution.”
- Keith Black, Chair - The Sunshine Greening Committee of Trinity United Church Acton, ON
Carrying out energy conservation and renewable energy projects has empowered faith members to think more deeply about how they can reduce their carbon emissions further. Climate-conscious communities like Trinity United Church in Acton, ON, replaced two gas furnaces with an air-forced heat pump system. They plan on adding additional heat pumps to their heat pump system once new technology is available.
Old gas furnaces and new air-forced heat pump system at Trinity United Church in Acton, ON
Faithful Footprints Program
The United Church of Canada (UCCan) Faithful Footprints program offers inspiration, tools, and grants to help its faith communities reduce their carbon footprint. With the Church’s commitment to reducing its greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions by 80% by 2030, this one of a kind program offers up to $30,000 in grants towards energy conservation and renewable energy projects (conditions apply).
Faith & the Common Good is the delivery partner for UCCans Faithful Footprints program. To date, we have engaged over 300 congregations, camps, and buildings across the country. Your participation in the program puts your faith into action and helps the Church reach its target.
Aleyxa Gates Julien is the PR/Communications Coordinator for Faithful Footprints and can be reached at agatesjulien@faithcommongood.org
Parkdale United Creates a Change for Climate
We are inspired by the Biblical call to be good stewards of the Earth and by the warnings from the International Panel on Climate Change. We have the means to be part of the healing of the Earth. Here is what we have done so far.
Parkdale United Church in Calgary is working on Creating a Climate for Change
Pictured above are Parkdale Members Bev Delong, Eneyda Rios, Ken Coburn, and Ted Moon (left to right) getting ready to replace their old seven-pilot boiler.
The following is the text from their ‘Creating a Climate for Change’ brochure. Read more about Parkdale United in Calgary here.
We are inspired by the Biblical call to be good stewards of the Earth and by the warnings from the International Panel on Climate Change. Our community has shared books and movies further explaining the need to adapt to lessen our use of power and water. We have the means to be part of the healing of the Earth. Here is what we have done so far.
To learn about options, we engaged in an environmental audit in June 2012 by Stephen Collette organized through Faith & the Common Good resulting in recommendations for action.
To lessen our carbon output, Parkdale is:
Purchasing a boiler that will reduce our output by an annual 15 - 18 tonnes of CO 2
Anticipates the installation of solar panels will further reduce our CO2 production annually by 10 tonnes.
Plans that the auditorium roof insulation will reduce CO2 by a further 3.0 to 5.0 tonnes.
Switched many light fixtures to T8 compact fluorescent bulbs
Has replaced an elderly fridge with a more energy efficient model
Gas stopped use of the inefficient freezer in the main kitchen and
Installed foam gaskets for insulation in the exterior wall electrical outlets.
To lessen the volume of water treated, and conserve water, Parkdale has:
Installed five low flush toilets reducing water usage from 13 litres per flush to 6 litres
Water faucets have been checked to ensure there are no leaks and
1.5 GPM low flow aerators were installed to reduce hot (and cold) water consumption.
To create a healthier building, we have: moved to environmentally friendly clearing products & dishwashing liquid, removed a volume of old VOC-carrying paint cans from the church, and called for a “no-scent” policy among users of the building
To decrease production of plastics, and lessen waste going to the landfill, Parkdale has: called for called on users to minimize use of disposable dishes and cutlery and to not use styrofoam and placed paper recycling bins throughout the church.
To discourage the commercial production of water and in keeping with recommendations from the United Church of Canada, Parkdale has installed two filtered water systems and is encouraging all users of the building to use them rather than bottled water.
To enable paper recycling, paper recycling bins to be placed in conference rooms that are available for rental.
Next Steps? What would you suggest?
Are you interested in information on solar panels for your home? Perhaps you would like other information on environmental possibilities. Let us know!
Words of thanks!
Our gratitude goes to Parkdale Council, Parkdale’s Operations Committee and Faith and Justice Committee for their considerable work on these projects.
We acknowledge with thanks the financial support received from the bequest of Janet Tollefson and the work of the Committee that evaluated potential projects to be addressed by that bequest.
We also thank the people who regularly contribute to these projects at our monthly movie night.