More than an energy audit … turning words into action
Energy audits for places of worship can often be a waste of time and money because, however informative the written report may be, energy audits are usually missing two key ingredients:
- A follow-up meeting to hand over the report and take questions and answers on the report and next steps. This is where the magic happens and where the next steps become clear.
- Hand-holding, sometimes over a lengthy period, to help implement your energy saving strategy. This will involve due diligence on installers, interpreting quotes, and responding to questions from Planning Authorities if the building is listed or in a conservation area.
That’s why I emphasise these two critical steps. This is in addition to providing you with a comprehensive written report with recommended short-term and long-term actions, and predicted impact of the actions on your emissions, energy costs, and the thermal comfort of worshippers. My approach represents better value for your money than the easy option of an energy audit alone. It saves time, money and stress for your volunteers compared to leaving an energy audit ‘gathering dust’ on a shelf, or the end of your email inbox.