STA Parish Energy Conservation Updates

Converting building lighting to energy efficient LED lights was accelerated by using a portion of the 2023 match to parishioner donations for solar panels. The Social Justice Committee and Parish Council determined that investments in conservation would be more impactful than further solar investments. Recently lights in the Processional Pathway (west wall) were converted last week last week as these lights are on 16 hrs per day/7 days a week! Next came all the ceiling lights (56 fixtures) in the lower lounge, which required services of an electrician for the removal of ballasts from the existing fluorescent lights to enable the LED replacements. See photo below.
The ceiling lighting in the worship space remains and awaits the introduction of suitable LED replacments.

This effort follows the first use of matching funds in 2022 when the Parish provided a $14,000 match to parishioner contributions for purchase of solar panels in the City of Ames SunSmart array. Contributions exceeded the match amount and 185 solar packs were obtained at a cost of $52,725. The City of Ames Energy Services Coordinator recently reported that our panels provide and estimated 18% of the Church's (excluding Parking Ramp) electricity usage. He thanks the Parish greatly for our investment. Read the details of his analysis here.

Independently of the matching fund activity, Buildings and Grounds has completed Installing digital control for heating and cooling to optimize temperature and run time in 2022 and installation of a new heating system in 2023 that will increase boiler efficiency from previous 82% to 97%