Be the LIght Planning Guide

So you have decided to involve your congregation in Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light’s Fall 2014 Statewide “Be the Light” Virtual Workday! Congratulations! This guide will help make your event a success. Not everything here will apply to your particular congregation, but we hope you will find help and support.

1. Appoint a team of 3-5 to plan and lead, including someone skilled in electrical wiring.

These may be a combination of Green Team members, property committee members, the sexton, members of a group or adult class, or interested volunteers. If possible, clergy involvement can be very helpful—a fund of knowledge about the building, the people, and the tradition.

2. Survey the building.

With 2-3 people, a notebook and pen, a toolbox and step ladder, and keys or access to the entire building, conduct a survey. What is already done? What is needed?

·           What kind of light bulbs and light fixtures do you find, especially in areas lighted many hours per week, such as offices and hallways. (For information on recognizing fluorescent sizes and types, see the page on Fluorescent and LED Troffers. Also see Light Bulbs: Knowing Your Options). You need not decide yet what the replacement will be, just what is there now and whether a replacement might be reasonable. In general, fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) and tubes are about three times as energy efficient as incandescents, and LEDs 2-3 times as efficient as fluorescents.

·           Have LED exit signs been installed, or is your building filled with old incandescent exit signs? (See Changing Exit Signs.)

·           How many water fountains do you have that could be put on timers to cool only when the building is in use? What is their wattage (look for a label on the under- or back side of the casing)? Is the outlet accessible?

·           How many bathrooms have occupancy sensors? These prevent lights from staying on indefinitely. The length of time they stay on can be adjusted. (See Occupancy Sensors Digest.)

·           What outside lighting is associated with the building? What kinds of floodlights are used, and can any of these be replaced with LED lights and/or put on motion detectors, photocells, or timers?

     Note what you find, and make a list of your goals for this fall. If there are items you note that you won’t be addressing this fall but would like to return to, keep note of these. You may find you will need to revise this list up or down, so prioritize the items.

3. Talk with the congregational leadership to gain approval, support, and resources.

Depending on how your congregation is structured, this may be a clergy person, the congregational president, or members of the board or session. It is also wise to talk with overseers of the budget and property. Explain the program and what you propose. Some groups are just beginning to think seriously about energy conservation, and others have been making energy-saving changes for years, but no matter how far along your congregation is, there is usually more to consider.

    Explain that this event emphasizes some changes that are relatively easy for non-technicians to accomplish, while others will involve individuals with some experience in basic electrical wiring. Here are the emphases for this fall’s workday:

• Changing incandescents in worship buildings to energy-saving CFLs and LEDs.
• Changing outmoded T-12 fluorescent lights to energy-saving T-8s or even LED fixtures.
• Changing exit sign lights to long-lasting, low-wattage LEDs.
• Installing occupancy sensors in spaces where lights are often left on, such as restrooms.
• Installing timers on water fountains to chill only when the building is in use.
• Replacing high-wattage outdoor floodlights with cooler LEDs.

Explain that what is done, and when and how, is a decision internal to the congregation. This statewide workday lasts from Labor Day to Thanksgiving, and Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light will collect and report the statewide results as soon as they are collected after November.

    Work with congregational leadership to decide how to budget, keeping in mind that effective changes should lower the electricity bills. It is helpful to estimate the “return on investment,” showing how many months of lowered power bills will pay for the changes. Keep in mind any rebates and incentives offered by Energizing Indiana or your utility company. (See the page on Rebates and Incentives.)

4. Choose a date between Labor Day and Thanksgiving for your event.

With the leadership, with input from the property committee (and the sexton or custodian, if appropriate), determine the best date for your congregation. A reasonable date:

·      ....would be far enough in the future for adequate planning and publicity, and procurement of replacement items (bulbs, tubes, fixtures, exit signs, timers, etc.);

·     ....would avoid conflict with other congregational or community activities;

·     ....would take into account any Energizing Indiana rebates that you would want to apply for (see the page on Rebates and Incentives for end dates in your utility area). However, most utilities have other, continuing rebates available;

·      ....might be preceded by a visit from a local lighting specialist to help with decision-making and ordering.

    Several shorter work-sessions can be a good alternative.

    It is most likely that there are several things that can be done to improve the efficiency of your lighting. But if you find that your building is as energy-efficient as it can be, it may be time to reach out to neighboring congregations with offers of help, or to offer an open-house for congregational leaders to showcase your energy efficiency measures. Numbers are important here: how much have your utility bills dropped as a result of these changes?

    Or if you find that the measures being emphasized this fall are already completed, consider other measures, such as sealing the envelope by weatherstripping entrances and windows, caulking where needed, insulating water heaters, pipes, and air ducts, making sure your HVAC system is in top shape, or replacing refrigerators, freezers, or other appliances with energy star models.

5. Register your congregation’s workday with Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light by emailing BeTheLightHIPL@gmail.com.

This website offers information needed for making the updates you plan.

6. Plan your workday, and make your shopping list.

Decide what changes to prioritize. This may involve some on-line searching for product availability and prices. It may also involve a visit from a local lighting specialist who can inform you of options and their relative merits.

    Two money-saving resources are Interfaith Power and Light’s online discount store for LED lighting and other helpful products, and any discount store sponsored by your utility company. Duke, for instance, sells exit signs and many lights at a deep discount, with the incentive already built into the product. To access the utility’s store, you may need your congregation’s electrical account number and taxpayer identification number, which can be supplied by staff or treasurer.

    Don’t be discouraged if it takes a few tries to figure out the best procedure and products. Most of us don’t do this work every day. It’s a learning process.

7. Advertise the workday.

• Call people you think would be most interested or whose expertise you need the most, or whom you would like to draw in to the life of the congregation. Often people respond better to a personal invitation than to a general call.
• Invite groups, such as a men’s breakfast group, the youth or young adults group, or an adult class.
• Advertise in the newsletter, email blasts, bulletins, and other information outlets. Announce in worship if possible, and be available to talk with people. 

8. Plan how you will celebrate together both on the work day and after the work is done.

On the day itself, do you want to begin with prayer and a brief reflection on why you are doing this work as a congregation? Introductions? Would you like to serve refreshments? Would you like to conclude with a simple meal together, or to go out together? Plans do not have to be elaborate, but time to reflect on the work done and enjoy fellowship can strengthen ties.

    Very soon afterward, such as the next time the congregation gathers for worship, you may consider a brief explanation of the changes made, the difference they will make in energy use, and the values this work reflects; to share stories, and challenge others to further measures in homes and in the worship building. If the changes have been significant, such as lighting in a major room, you might invite members to view them after worship.

9. Make final plans.

• Think through your procedures for assuring safety. For instance, if electrical wiring is involved, who will operate the breaker boxes, and how will communication take place? Make sure you have enough electrical current testers for each person working with wiring.
• Who is involved, and what roles should each play? For instance, will you assign a helper for each person standing on a stepladder working with fluorescent fixtures? Are there people who will move supplies and materials around? Are there jobs for youth, such as swapping out light bulbs? Who will take photos for display and sharing? Who is responsible for food? for running any necessary errands to the hardware store?
• What explanations and demonstrations are needed at the beginning of the day by someone with expertise?
• What tools and supplies are needed, such as stepladders, screwdrivers, wirecutters, current testers, tape, wire nuts, etc.? Where will supplies be located?
• What new bulbs, tubes, sensors, timers, exit signs, etc. are needed?
• How will old fluorescent tubes and other supplies be packed and recycled, and who will take them?

10. Hold the workday.

Pay attention to safety, and to opportunities to get to know friends in the congregation in new ways. Enjoy the day and the work together. Be aware that something will inevitably go wrong: something will not work or will not fit, a new problem will come to light, some crucial piece of equipment will be missing, a crucial person will fall ill the day before. Expect the unexpected, and if necessary schedule further time to work out the bugs. The main thing is that you are working together toward an important common goal, and making changes that will last a long time.

11. Contact BeTheLightHIPL@gmail.com to report the changes you made.

A report form will be available for you to fill out and email back to us.

12. Celebrate what Hoosiers of faith have done across the state of Indiana.