St. Andrew 1 - Racine
1015 Four Mile Rd.
Racine, WI 53402
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Saint Andrew Lutheran Church is located in Racine, Wisconsin. The house of worship was built in 1967 and is home to a congregation of 60 members. In addition to worship, office hours, and regular church meetings, the building is used for weddings, funerals, Boy Scout meetings, and other community events. The congregation has a half-time pastor and a part-time office manager. The grounds have a large organic garden and a small memorial garden. It is handicapped-accessible and routinely hosts a farmers' market in the parking lot.
For the last 15 years, Saint Andrew has had a Green Team that promotes care for creation. The Green Team focuses on creation care in worship (a Season of Creation), education (environmental forums and videos), facilities (environmental audit and action), discipleship (the Cool Congregation program), and public witness (participation in Racine Green Congregations). There is a strong commitment to lower the congregation’s carbon footprint. The church participates in a multi-year program called Energy Stewards Initiative, sponsored by Lutherans Restoring Creation. The program has an action plan, regular webinars with energy experts, consultation with ESI staff, and an online platform to track energy data that is harmonized with EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Saint Andrew Lutheran Church has worked hard to achieve the goals of reducing its carbon footprint and saving money.
The process of certification started in 2008 and faced fiscal challenges. The congregation worked with the organization Focus on Energy, a partner of the local energy company. Focus on Energy provided three free facility energy audits. The first audit occurred in 2008. These energy audits examined the entire facility from the façade to the pipes. In 2012, the congregation joined Energy Stewards Initiative and continued energy reduction in earnest. In 2014, the congregation procured the pro bono services of a local architect and went through the procedure to qualify as an ENERGY STAR certified house of worship. The certification was made official in early 2014.
Modifications to the building since 2008 include the following:
• Installed 1.5 GPM aerators on all faucets that would accept the upgrade;
• Installed pipe insulation on the hot and cold water pipes coming out of the hot water tank;
• Installed 5 motion sensors for lighting;
• Removed 32 100-watt flood lights and replaced them with 32 23-watt CFLs in the Sanctuary (reducing wattage from 3200 watts to 736 watts);
• Removed 24 45-watt CFL lights and replaced them with 12 3-watt LED and 12 7-watt CFL flood lights on the walls in the Sanctuary;
• Installed toilet tank bladders to reduce water usage;
• Installed 5 new programmable thermostats with locking covering boxes;
• Tuned up all the faucets;
• Removed 18 100-watt flood lights and replaced them with 18 23-watt CFLs and chrome reflectors in the entrance area to the Sanctuary;
• Reduced the temperature setting on the refrigerator and unplugged the ones not in use;
• Installed a main shut-off to the gas stove so the pilot lights are not staying lit at all times;
• Upgraded parking lot lights to a new HPS with newer ballasts, and reduced the lighting time;
• Reduced lighting time on the church sign;
• Unplugged 3 of the 8 high watt spots in the Sanctuary;
• Installed two new energy efficient furnaces.
Saint Andrew is looking to the future by planning to implement an “adopt a light bulb” campaign to fund installation of LED bulbs throughout the complex. After all the projects listed above were completed, congregation members felt a greater sense of identity as a green congregation, because they were able to name their house of worship as a place that holistically is helping create a better world.
Collaborators
Racine Green Congregations (http://www.racinegreencongregations.org/)
Energy Stewards Initiative (www.energystewards.net)
Focus on Energy (https://focusonenergy.com/)
Lutheran Restoring Creation (www.luteransrestoringcreation.org - See Energy Stewards Initiative under Programs on the top menu bar)
Communications
Saint Andrews Lutheran is in the process of having an article published in the local paper. They also plan a special worship service to celebrate the ENERGY STAR certification and to honor those who worked so hard to make it possible.
Communications:
Unavailable
Testimonial:
"Enrollment and certification in the ENERGY STAR program helped Saint Andrew Lutheran Church solidify identity as a green congregation. A series of smaller projects can add up to a significant difference in energy use. The data resonated with the congregation, and benchmarking engaged the congregation in creating a more sustainable facility."
-- Dave Rhoads, St. Andrews Energy Steward, Saint Andrew Lutheran ChurchPlease note: Narrative information in this profile has been provided by Saint Andrew Lutheran Church or a representative of this facility. Other building information was verified and submitted to EPA at the time of application. Building energy performance, operating characteristics, and ownership/management may be subject to change over time.
Building Owner:*
Saint Andrew Lutheran Church
Property Manager:*
N/A
Year(s) Labeled (Rating):
2014 (87)
Facility Type: Worship Facility
Total Floorspace: 17492 sf
Year Constructed: 1967
Contract Type: None
Technologies Used:
| Stage 1-Recommissioning |
| Stage 2-Lighting |
| Stage 3-Load Reductions |
| Stage 5-Heating and Cooling Plant |
| Other Technologies/Strategies |