Faith Communities' Green Initiatives

A silent revolution is unfolding in the quiet corners of Ottawa's faith communities that speaks not of doctrine or dogma, but of sustainability and stewardship.

Several local churches have embarked on a transformative journey to enhance their environmental footprint after engaging in the Energy Benchmarking Program's virtual green audits in 2022. From century-old buildings to modern sanctuaries, each congregation has woven together threads of innovation and conservation, proving that small steps towards energy efficiency can yield profound impacts.

As part of our 2022 Energy Benchmarking Program, Greening Sacred Spaces offered six participating faith communities the opportunity to take part in a virtual green audit of their faith building, offered by Faith & the Common Good’s Stephen Collette. Participants had two years to complete at least one recommendation from the audit report. Now, as we delve into their progress, we uncover stories of resilience, adaptation, and a shared commitment to building a greener, more sustainable future.

Ottawa Mennonite Church

One of the suggestions the Ottawa Mennonite Church received from their free virtual audit was to replace their old industrial style fridge. Old appliances can be a huge source of energy use and replacing them with newer, energy star appliances can be a great way to reduce overall energy usage in a faith building. 

But they realized after replacing the old fridge with a newer one that their kitchen had become much colder than it had been before. To rectify this, they identified a problem with the furnace following an inspection, but the subsequent repair didn't entirely resolve the temperature issue becaues, as they discovered, the furnace vent was restricted as it emptied into a space beneath a kitchen cabinet. This setup was acceptable, but the vent on the cabinet's floorboard was too small and limited airflow, and although removing the floorboard cover marginally increased the room's warmth it was not to the extent that it was expected to be. Further investigation revealed that the stove top exhaust fans were also contributing to the problem; their vent louvers were malfunctioning, and the ducting lacked insulation, allowing cold air to seep in through capped joins. They addressed these issues by replacing the ducting, sealing all joins with tape, and adding insulation. As a result, it seems the temperature discrepancy in the kitchen has been successfully resolved. 

Reflecting on these challenges, they realized that their old fridge was generating significant heat, compensating for the furnace's insufficient warmth and countering the cold draft from the exhaust fans.

South Gloucester United Church (SGUC)

SGUC has a 140 year old building, our Building Grant’s coordinator Stephen Collette’s expertise in heritage faith community buildings was incredibly valuable for their audit! His insightful recommendations were tailored specifically to their faith building. These recommendations ranged from less expensive DIY fixes to more substantial upgrades, which gave them the flexibility to choose what best suited their building's needs and available resources.

The church community sprang into action upon receiving Stephen's report. Initiatives included switching to energy-efficient light bulbs and installing a new, eco-friendly hot water heater. Leveraging available resources, such as the Small Business Save on Energy Program and congregation funding, the church made significant strides in reducing their environmental footprint. They were even able to secure an additional 50% in matching funding for qualified expenses from the United Church thanks to the green audit!

As SGUC’s Cara Prest stated: “Our wee red-brick country church owes a debt of gratitude to Greening Sacred Spaces Ottawa, Charlie (GSS program manager) in particular. It is with their support and guidance that we've been able to access expertise such as the virtual green audit, and the energy benchmarking program before it.  They have helped us along the way, suggesting sources of funding and contractors.”

Trinity United Smith Falls (TUSF)

Trinity United Smith Falls (TUSF) has made significant progress in their ongoing efforts to enhance the sustainability and energy efficiency within their historic building. As of early October 2023, the church has successfully completed the transition to LED lighting throughout its premises. This upgrade marks a substantial step forward in reducing energy consumption and lowering environmental impact.

Moreover, the church is planning to improve the insulation in their building to reduce heat loss. Efforts are currently underway to insulate various areas of the church, a measure designed not only to conserve energy but also to enhance air circulation for greater comfort and efficiency, and plans are in motion to replace the main entrance door to further minimize heat loss.

Navan-Vars United Church

Last year, Navan-Vars United completed a comprehensive series of renovations aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and comfort within the building. These renovations included insulating the attic, installing ceiling fans in the sanctuary, upgrading to a new air conditioning system, and replacing both the furnace and hot water tank.

The implementation of these upgrades is expected to significantly improve the church's overall energy efficiency. With the installation of easy programmable thermostats, temperature control has become more convenient than ever before. However, it's the addition of ceiling fans in the sanctuary that has had the most noticeable impact, as they effectively distribute air throughout the space, reducing the need for additional heating. The properly insulated attic also plays a crucial role in maintaining a comfortable temperature within the building.

Additionally, the church's new hot water tank has improved insulation, minimizing heat loss and contributing to greater energy efficiency overall. 

Grace Presbyterian Church

In efforts to enhance building insulation, Grace Presbyterian has replaced weather stripping on various exterior doors. This initiative targets key areas such as the main entrance doors, hall doors, and emergency exits. By addressing potential sources of heat loss and drafts, the church aims to improve energy efficiency and create a more comfortable environment for its congregation. 

As we reflect on the remarkable progress made by Ottawa’s faith communities through the Energy Benchmarking Program, one cannot help but feel inspired by their collective dedication to environmental responsibility. Their proactive steps, from upgrading appliances to improving insulation and embracing energy-efficient technologies, underscore the tangible difference community collaboration can make in tackling climate challenges. It’s heartwarming to witness such commitment to sustainability, reminding us that every small change contributes to a larger, positive impact. The participants’ gratitude and the program’s success affirm our commitment to fostering similar opportunities in the future, ensuring continued support for our members on their journey towards a greener tomorrow.

Emily Sayadi is a Sustainability Intern with Greening Sacred Spaces.