ChurchSafety

Going "green" is a popular expression in today's eco-minded culture.  Ministries are not exempt from environmental responsibility.  In fact, green practices can be a testament to good stewardship and an outreach opportunity.  Get started going green with our simple tips.

• Go with the flow.Incorporate natural features, such as hills and slopes, into any new building designs to minimize disturbance.
  
  
• Choose local materials.  Whenever possible use materials produced locally.  The energy saved in transporting the materials can be used elsewhere.
  
  
• A lot of options. Consider ways to divert parking lot runoff with green space and water-friendly plants. Use porous surface materials for any new parking structures.
  
  
• A window of opportunity. Install energy-efficient windows that can open and close.  Take advantage of natural ventilation.
  
  

• Bright ideas. Use sensors that automatically turn lights on and off based on the activity levels detected.
  
  
• Check the label. Watch out for materials like adhesives, sealants and paint.  They can emit harmful chemicals as they dry and cure.
  
  
• Consider a heat pump. A geothermal heat pump uses electricity to move heat from the building to the ground in summer and from the ground to the building in the winter. A heat pump can trim heating and cooling costs by 30 to 40 percent.
  
  
• We've got you surrounded.  Flank buildings with trees, plants, and grass to reduce heating and cooling costs.  Properly placed landscaping can provide natural barriers to sunlight and energy-saving windbreaks.
  
  

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