Monthly Highlight
Faithful Footprints at City of Brampton Earth Day Celebration
This Earth Week, Faithful Footprints Delivery Partner Faith & the Common Good was one of this year's vendors at the City of Brampton's annual Earth Day Celebration. Faithful Footprint's Communications Coordinator was in attendance and showcased two Faithful Footprints funded projects in Brampton, ON. Both Grace United Church and St. Paul’s United Church pursued distinctive strategies for energy efficiency-focused renovations, showcasing innovative approaches to sustainability in their community.
Grace United received a grant to replace two boilers and chimney liners and remove pipe insulation. St. Paul's United received a grant to install three programmable digital thermostats; install over 400 LED lights; replace kitchen windows; replace all exterior lighting, entrance and floodlights; and replace a refrigerator.
Work Completed
Middle Stewiacke United Church (Middle Stewiacke, NS)
Received a grant to install three heat pumps, LED lighting, and a new energy-efficient refrigerator.
Hampton United Church (Hampton, ON)
Received a grant to install five mini split heat pumps, including three 24,000 btu units and two 18,000 btu units.
St. Paul's United Church (Dundas, ON)
Received a grant to install heat pumps to serve 30% of total area of its building, including its offices, meeting rooms, Sunday school, and Young Christian Community areas; as well as install window coverings on its west-facing windows.
Trinity United Church (Lively, ON)
Received a grant to replace its furnace with two new furnaces as well as replace all lighting to LEDs.
Energy Results
Bissell Centre Thrift Shop (Edmonton, AB)
Received a grant to replace its fluorescent lighting with LED; insulate its exterior walls and roof, and complete an energy audit and energy management plan for the site. A year following their projects, the Bissell Centre Thrift Shop reduced its weather-normalized source EUI by 0.7%, total GHG emissions by 13.4%, electricity usage by 0.5%, and natural gas usage by 17.7%.
The Bissell Centre is a non-profit based in Edmonton, Alberta that is affiliated with the United Church.
Watch the video Faithful Footprints Success Story: Bissell Centre, Edmonton, AB, and learn how the Bissell Centre used the Faithful Footprints grant to help support Bissell's employment services, by increasing revenue from their thrift shop, and decreasing monthly energy bills. You can also read the article where Bissell Centre’s COO, Louise Traynor sat down with past Faithful Footprints Western Regional Support Coordinator, Cari Kilmartin at Newo Global Energy to discuss Bissell’s experience completing a LED retrofit.
Centennial United Church (Robert's Arm, NL)
Received a grant to replace an oil furnace and oil tank with four heat pumps in its sanctuary and church hall; replace door seals; install LED lights throughout its entire church; and insulate its attic. A year following their projects, Centennial United reduced its source energy use intensity by 23.9%, total GHG emissions by 82.8, total GHG emissions intensity by 78.6%, energy costs by 27.7%, and energy cost intensity by 27.4%.
Read more on their project in the blog How Centennial United in Robert's Arm, NL Reduced Its Carbon Footprint.
Comox United Church (Comox, BC)
Received a grant to replace gas furnaces with heat pumps. A year following their projects, Comox United reduced its total GHG emissions by 87.7%.
Read more on Comox United's Sustainability Action Group for the Environment who facilitated the project.
Knox United Church (Glace Bay, NS)
Received a grant to install heat pumps and insulate its entire building. A year following their projects, Knox United reduced its weather normalized source energy use intensity by 46.5%, total GHG emissions by 34.6%, and energy costs by 49.1%.
St. George and St. Andrew United Church (Annapolis Royal, NS)
Received a grant to replace its oil burning furnaces and oil tank with three heat pumps; replace an oil fired hot water heater with an electrical hot water heater; install larger ductwork and ceiling fans; upgrade its electrical system; and insulate its sanctuary. A year following their projects, St. George and St. Andrew United reduced its weather normalized source energy use intensity by 29.3%, total GHG emissions by 13.8%, and energy costs by 34.4%.
St. Paul's United Church (Oakville, ON)
Received a grant to install LED lights and replace three refrigerators. A year following their projects, St. Paul's United reduced its weather normalized source energy use intensity by 3.6%, total GHG emissions by 16.4%, total GHG emissions intensity by 18.2%, electricity usage by 16.5%, and natural gas usage by 15.5%.
Read more on the financial component of their project in Turn on the Lights Campaign: St. Paul’s United Fundraiser.
Trinity United Church (Action, ON)
Received a grant to replace natural gas furnaces with an air-sourced heat pump system; and replace windows in its sanctuary with frosted triple glass windows. A year following their projects, Trinity United reduced its weather normalized source energy use intensity by 26.7%, total GHG emissions by 56.2%, and natural gas usage by 58.3%.
West River United Church (Cornwall, PE)
Received a grant to install heat pumps and an electrical upgrade, including four muti-head systems and seven single-head systems, composed of 13 outdoor units and 18 indoor units. A year following their projects, West River United reduced its weather normalized source energy use intensity by 27.0%, total GHG emissions by 56.2%, energy costs by 14.4%, and fuel oil usage from a single source by 91.2%.
Windsor United Church (Windsor, NS)
Received a grant to install cellulose insulation of all exterior walls upstairs; replace an oil fired furnace with a heat pump; install additional heat pumps to the sanctuary’s two oil furnaces and basement meeting rooms. A year following their projects, Windsor United reduced its weather normalized source energy use intensity by 39.5%, total GHG emissions by 36.2%, total GHG emissions intensity by 35.5%, energy costs by 33.8%, energy cost intensity by 33.7%, and fuel oil usage from a single source by 84.0%.
Read more about their project in Windsor United Kicks the Oil Habit.
Inspiration
More than Swapping Out Boilers: Fifth Avenue Memorial's Heating System Upgrade
In 2019, Fifth Avenue Memorial United Church (Medicine Hat, Alberta) 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 that resulted in a 50.9% reduction in natural gas usage, a 46.3% decrease in total GHG emissions, and a 21.4% reduction in electricity consumption.
Energy Auditing Faith Buildings - Common Issues and Practical Solutions
This year, Faithful Footprints Western Regional Support Centre, Newo has conducted ASHRAE Level 1 (walkthrough) energy audits for a number of church buildings as part of the program. After many audits, Newo’s certified energy managers, Garnet and Maroof, found there were a lot of similarities between church buildings. They share what they have learned and some suggestions for those who are looking to reduce energy consumption, save money and green their faith buildings or their homes.
Deer Lake Environmental Group's Mission for Change
This month, newly established Deer Lake Environmental Group at Deer Lake United Church (Burnaby, BC) hosted an information session. Community members gathered to share information about how their congregation can take steps towards a more positive future for the environment through guest speakers and community discussions. The new group, grant recipient of the Neighborhood Fund for Climate Action is bringing together like-minded members that are interested in making real and lasting change in the way their community and leaders care for the earth.
Climate Justice Webinar Replay: Caring for Creation
Did you miss The United Church of Canada Foundation recent webinar Works in Action: Caring for Creation? The webinar included a panel of past United Church of Canada Foundation grant recipients who shared how they are taking meaningful steps towards climate justice and protecting the environment. Panelist, Patty Duquette from Eden United Church (Mississauga, ON), Wendy Pope from Denman Island United Church and Gathering Place (Denman Island, BC), and Jessica Banner from Evergreen (Toronto, ON), all discussed their funded projects, learnings, and experience working with the foundation.
Opportunities
Calling all Youth: Climate Motivators - Canada Summer Jobs Program
Applications close May 7, 2024
The United Church of Canada Church in Mission Unit is seeking individuals to fill the role of Climate Motivators as part of the Canada Summer Jobs Program for 2024. The work of the Climate Motivators will include liaising with a local community of faith (could be a camp, regional office, etc.), team meetings, leadership development, action planning for local context, advocacy to align United Church policies with climate commitments, and advocating for climate justice with MP in local ridings.
This is an 8-week program at 35 hours per week with an anticipated start date in the first week of July. This term employment will include training, leadership development, education, living in community, and group action planning.
Beach United Eco Fair
May 4, 2024 | 10:00 AM-2:00 PM | 140 Wineva Ave, Toronto, ON
Join Beach United Church at its annual Eco-Fair. Meet vendors showcasing heat pumps, energy auditors, and discover initiatives like the Beach Home Retrofits group, solar co-ops, and much more.
Getting OakvilleReady with Dr. Blair Feltmate
May 8, 2024 | 10:30am - 12:00pm | 454 Rebecca St, Oakville, ON
Curious about safeguarding your property and community from flooding? Interested in mitigating challenges from extreme heat? Join Oakville Ready for a talk with Dr. Blair Feltmate. Dr. Blair Feltmate is the Head of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at University of Waterloo; sits on the Advisory Table, National Adaptation Strategy, Canada; is a member of the Sustainable Finance Council member, Global Risk Institute, Climate Proof Canada (Insurance Bureau of Canada), and International ISO Strategic Advisory Group, ESG; is a board member on the Science, Innovation and Policy Board of Canada’s Forest Trust, and the Climate Advisory Board, Minister of Environment (Ontario).
Free energy audits for faith buildings in Nova Scotia
March 1 – July 31, 2024
Faith groups have identified a need for energy audits of their buildings as an important the first step in retrofitting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Faithful Footprints Atlantic Regional Support Centre, Ecology Action Centre is offering 30+ free energy audits for faith buildings across Nova Scotia. Get a detailed energy report with recommendations & customized advice qualifying you to apply for Efficiency Nova Scotia rebates. Energy audits are on a first-come, first served basis, but will do their best to accommodate a diversity of faiths and geographic locations within the program's capacity.
Be a powerful actor for the environment, create a more comfortable space for faith members and the community, and reduce overhead costs and greenhouse gas emissions.