Arden United Church explores heat pump options that balanced cost, performance, and nd the everyday realities of their building.

Years of thoughtful efficiency upgrades led St. John’s United Church to replace its aging steam system in 2023, but just months later, an unforeseen pipe failure revealed the realities of tackling aging infrastructure.

First United Church in Vermilion, Alberta decided to take a closer look into their ongoing heating issues to better understand what practical improvements could make their buildings.

Conducting a comprehensive energy study can reveal new opportunities and strategies to improve building efficiency. An assessment at Whitehorse United Church in Whitehorse, Yukon led to the church’s largest energy project to date, a full HVAC upgrade incorporating air source heat pump technology.

Hope United Church in Alvinston, ON took many steps to reduce energy use. However, aging infrastructure led them to finally replace their 1926 steam boiler with a new heat pump system.

St. James & St. John United Church in Miramichi, New Brunswick is transitioning to energy-efficient mini-split heat pumps across its buildings, with current efforts targeting its Church Centre, its most space.

More people in the building means higher expectations for comfort, rising energy demands, and growing costs, especially in older buildings. At Trinity United Church in Grimsby, Ontario, this reality came to a head and, in response, upgraded its building to ensure their space could remain both welcoming and sustainable. 

Responding to growing concerns about global warming, Camp Kee-Mo-Kee has made sustainability a strategic priority and has set out ambitious goals as part of its vision for the future.

Stamford Lane United Church (Niagara Falls) has made it a priority to ensure its longevity and sustainability of its church, and are committed to maintaining its building for the future.

Siloam United Church (London, ON) is stepping up as a local leader, with a goal to cut its operational carbon emissions by 15% annually over the next two years, for a total reduction of 30% by 2026.

Some renovation projects are talked about long before they happen. Salisbury United finally executes a long-anticipated upgrade of over 100 lights throughout its entire building.

Over the last decade, Five Oaks Centre (Paris, ON) has made significant upgrades to improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of its facilities. To further investment into its property, the Centre adopted a business model in 2016, introducing a commitment to develop a 5-year property rejuvenation plan.

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.

In 2023, United Churches encountered an unexpected challenge when their boilers broke down, resulting in an urgent need to replace them. Glenwood United Church sources out Faithful Footprints funding to replace its boilers rapidly approaching the end of their 25-year lifespan.

Many renovation projects depend on outsourced grants and funding opportunities to complete, but raising the necessary funds can be challenging. However, St. Paul’s United Church in Oakville, Ontario, was confident that their congregants could rise to the challenge and come up with a significant sum of money for the lighting retrofit they were planning.

A mere 20 minutes from mainland Vancouver, Camp Fircom is a far cry from hectic city life. Located across the Howe Sound on Gambier Island, and accessible only by water taxi, the remote United Church camp has offered a “place of rest and healing” for 100 years. 

Across regions, many faith communities are unable to meet annual fees and maintenance costs and are struggling to keep up with the operational needs of their buildings. As a solution, a number of United Church properties are retrofitting their buildings with the goal of reducing their energy bills. They are creating rental opportunities by renovating old and unused spaces within their buildings. 

McClure United Church in Saskatoon is shining new light on its congregation. 

Across the country, United Churches are doing their part to address the climate crisis by getting their houses in order and reducing their own carbon emissions. Through a partnership with Faith & the Common Good, the United Church of Canada is offering grants and support for churches to measure their energy use and reduce their climate pollution, in ways that save money and strengthen congregational renewal.

Across the country, United Churches are doing their part to address the climate crisis by getting their houses in order and reducing their own carbon emissions. Through a partnership with Faith & the Common Good, the United Church of Canada is offering grants and support for churches to measure their energy use and reduce their climate pollution, in ways that save money and strengthen congregational renewal.