Several United Church communities of faith have recently received grant approval through the Faithful Footprints program to financially support energy conservation and renewable energy building projects. Many of our current program participants have successfully completed their planned renovations and upgrades, while others have received their one-year post-project energy reports. Here are the latest project updates:
Completed projects:
Bells Corners United Church (Ottawa, ON)
Received a grant to upgrade insulation from R20 to R60 in approximately 13,000 sq. ft. of main hall and attic; converted 215 fluorescent lighting fixtures with LED lighting; replaced 18, 1960s era windows; repaired weatherstripping and mounting of 49 opening windows.
Camrose United Church (Camrose, AB)
Received a grant to install a 22 KWH array of 42 solar panels.
Fifty United Church (Winonna, ON)
Received a grant to replace existing furnace units with new, energy efficient gas units plus add air conditioning for lower and upper halls; recaulking windows; increase attic insulation of sanctuary from R30 to R60; replace light bulbs with LED bulb; install smart thermostat; and replace a 25+ year old freezer.
Lakeview United Church (Calgary, AB)
Received a grant to replace fridge with an Energy Star rated unit; replaced doors; weatherstrip older doors and windows; upgrade all lighting to LED; install photocell sensors dimmers; replace exterior lighting; increase roof insulation to R12; rebuild economizer controls for expansion air handling units; replace three thermostats with programmable versions.
St. James United Church (St. John’s, NL)
Received a grant to install seven new mini splits.
St. Paul’s United Church (Milk River, AB)
Received a grant to install 28 Energy Star egress windows in its basement; replace all doors and frames and weatherstrip and install hardware; replace all lighting in sanctuary and main floor with LED bulbs.
Project energy results:
Hope United Church (Alvinston, ON)
Received a grant to replace an old gas boiler steam heat system with an electric heat pump system.
A year following their projects, Hope United reduced its source energy use intensity by 68.8%, total GHG emissions by 94.3%, total GHG emission intensity by 94.3%, energy costs by 6.60%, and natural gas usage by 97.8%.
Middle Stewiacke United Church (Brookfield, NS)
Received a grant to install heat pumps, replace lighting, and refrigerator.
A year following their projects, Middle Stewiacke United reduced its fuel oil usage by a single source by 2.4%.
Arundel United Church (Arundel, QC)
Received a grant to replace its 50+ year old oil furnace with an electric furnace and a heat pump. system; install two programmable thermostats; replace single pane windows with thermal windows; add cellulose insulation to walls; and upgraded the ventilation in the attic.
A year following their projects, Arundel United reduced its source energy use intensity by 31.5%, total GHG emissions by 99.7%, total GHG emission intensity by 99.7%, and energy costs by 53.3%.
Howick United Church (Howick, QC)
Received a grant to upgrade an electrical entrance; replace two oil-burning furnaces with two 5-ton heat pumps; replace lights in its sanctuary and church halls with LED lighting; insulate hall walls with spray-foam insulation; and caulk windows.
A year following their projects, Arundel United reduced its source energy use intensity by 53.1%, total GHG emissions by 99.8%, total GHG emission intensity by 99.7%, and energy costs by 59.3%.
