Should You Invest in Eco-Friendly Improvements to Your Church Property?

You’ve probably heard about the benefits of eco-friendly buildings but may question whether upgrading your church is worth the extra cost. After all, your congregation is already helping fund the property with their weekly offerings. Is going green worth it?

Here are some benefits of eco-friendly buildings and some of the most common improvements churches make.

1. Green Upgrades Save Your Church Money

Green upgrades can help keep costs down at your church property. There are tax incentives available for churches that make eco-friendly improvements. The Inflation Reduction Act allows you to deduct up to 30% of the cost of a green upgrade. These incentives can significantly affect how much money you have left over at the end of the year.

Additionally, the energy savings that come with installing solar panels or LED lights will save you even more money on your monthly utility bills. You can reduce your annual expenses by hundreds of dollars by switching to energy-saving measures.

2. Your Congregation Will Appreciate Your Environmentally Friendly Upgrades

It’s no secret that the planet is in trouble. Even if you’re not one to worry about climate change and pollution, you should consider how to help the environment.

Your church is where people come together to worship and believe in being good stewards of the world. Therefore, protecting it is part of that.

When you think about it, churches are big consumers of energy. They have to keep their lights on for many hours daily and run heating and cooling systems to keep these spaces comfortable in the winter and summer.

3. Energy-Efficient Upgrades Help Your Church Connect With Your Community

Green features can help your church connect with your community and attract younger generations of congregants who appreciate sustainable lifestyles. People will take notice and want to know more about how and why you’re making environmentally-friendly efforts.

This is a win-win situation since you’re doing something good for society while strengthening relationships with neighbors who might not otherwise feel connected to your church.

4. Going Green Allows for Lower Maintenance Costs

Energy-efficient upgrades save your church money on utility bills and allow for low maintenance costs.

That’s because the less energy a building needs to use, the less maintenance it needs. As a result, your church will require fewer materials and work from staff and volunteers over time. This means they don’t need to replace things as often, saving time and money spent on upkeep.

What Are the Top Eco-Friendly Upgrades That Churches Make?

Here are some simple eco-friendly improvements that you can make to your church:

Install Energy-Efficient Windows

Newly installed energy-efficient windows can be a great way to save on utility bills and make your property more comfortable for parishioners. They have low-emissivity glass, which is known for its thermal insulation properties and will reduce your church’s energy bills over time.

However, that’s not the only difference it can make. If you’ve ever thought about selling your property, energy-efficient windows will improve its resale value because they tend to attract potential buyers.

Invest in Solar Panels

Install solar panels on your roof. This will reduce your carbon footprint and give your congregation a chance to see what it looks like when God’s creation is harnessed for good.

The upfront expense of installing solar panels might seem like a burden. However, once you’ve gotten the initial expenses out of the way, you’ll be able to generate low-cost electricity for years to come.

Use LED Lighting

Replace incandescent lightbulbs with LEDs, which use less energy and last longer. They’re brighter, too — meaning you won’t have to replace them as often. Therefore, you save more money in the long run.

Plus, your congregants may already be using these, so why not make the switch in your church building?

Plant a Garden

Another thing you can do is plant a garden on your property. Plants are a great way to cleanse the air and make your church feel more like a sanctuary. It also will beautify your church grounds, provide food for your congregation and community and help prevent erosion.

Choose plants that are native to your area when planning your garden. This helps them thrive in the soil and climate where you live.

Install a Tankless Water Heater

There’s a good chance your church’s hot water comes from the heater in the basement. Most of the water stored in the tank remains heated throughout the day, requiring a lot of energy.

Therefore, the best solution is to install a tankless water heater since these are much more energy-efficient than storage units.

Invest in Eco-Friendly Improvements

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether or not eco-friendly improvements are right for your church. Consider the benefits listed above to give you some food for thought. Investing in greener upgrades positively impacts your church, the community and the environment.