10 Garfield churches take steps to boost energy efficiency

On sunny days, Bill Cook likes to check the meter that tracks electricity produced by the solar array installed at the First United Methodist Church in Glenwood Springs. If its running the other direction, he says, it means the church is saving money rather than paying for electricity. Cook, who is the chair of the churchs Capital Improvements Committee, is especially proud on those days.

First United, whose project the Post Independent featured over the summer, is just one Garfield County congregation to install energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy systems. Since 2011, Garfield Clean Energy, which is managed by CLEER, has helped 10 church congregations across the county become better energy stewards.

Churches in Parachute, Rifle, Glenwood Springs and Carbondale have invested in solar arrays, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems and controls, insulation and LED lighting.

Churches that save money on energy costs will have more funds to focus on their primary mission, said Shelley Kaup, an energy coach for Garfield Clean Energy. They are also practicing good stewardship for the Earth and helping to preserve its resources for future generations.

Such was the case for First United Methodist, when its capital committee forged ahead with major energy upgrades in 2014. Energy efficiency improvements to the sanctuary roof solved longstanding heat loss and water damage issues. And an 11.3-kilowatt solar electric system will offset about half of the churchs annual electricity use.

With the solar panels, it was pretty much a win-win thing because that ended up being a savings of 50 percent, Cook said.

Built in 1940, the church sanctuary has a beautiful interior ceiling, but it had no insulation and no attic where insulation could be placed. Over time, the roof began leaking, damaging the tongue-and-groove ceiling. A full roof replacement would have endangered the planks and exposed timbers and joists key interior design elements that church members wanted to preserve.

So Cook consulted with an engineer and architect along with Kaup for energy coaching. The team recommended replacement of the exterior roof with structural insulated panels, or SIPs. The panels created a thick layer of insulation on the sanctuary roof, and created a strong surface for the installation of solar panels.

Most of the solar electric system was paid for through community grants and rebates, with energy coaching guidance from Kaup.

CLEER made us aware that rebates were available, Cook said. It was nice to have people helping us who are closely involved with energy conservation; they know about these programs that are going on.

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10 Garfield churches take steps to boost energy efficiency