Diocesan Energy Summit identifies ways to save

By Bill Doyle
CFP Correspondent

In drafty, old churches and school buildings with inefficient heating systems, utility bills can be a problem. So Nathan Schroeder, director of the Facilities Office for the Worcester Diocese, is doing his best to help them save money.

Mr. Schroeder held a nearly hour-long virtual Diocesan Energy Summit last month, to educate pastors, administrators and staff at parishes and diocesan schools about reducing energy bills. Stephen Sycks, parish liaison officer, moderated the summit.

Mr. Sycks says that the Diocesan Virtual Support Summits are a new initiative to support parishes and schools in the diocese. He plans to make them regular monthly events. This month there was a diocesan Human Resources summit.

About 16 people logged on to watch Mr. Schroeder’s PowerPoint presentation and was recorded and posted the Diocese of Worcester website at worcesterdiocese.org/diocesan-energy-summit.

Mr. Schroeder presented three main goals: A checklist to save money on winter energy bills, purchasing energy in bulk for several parishes and schools, and exploring incentives to save on energy bills.

The checklist included the advice to have every boiler or furnace serviced each year to ensure proper operation and to identify potential problems before the start of the heating season.

Mr. Schroeder also recommended that thermostat batteries be checked and purchasing programmable thermostats be considered. HVAC technicians should bleed radiators to make sure there is no trapped air that would reduce efficiency.

Chimneys, gutters, downspouts, heat pumps, heat pump water heaters and dust filters should be inspected and cleaned. Snowblowers should be serviced and snowplow contracts should be reviewed.

Doors and windows should be checked for air leaks and weather stripping should be applied as needed.

Mr. Schroeder urged each parish to form a building committee.

Mr. Schroeder would like parishes and schools to team up to purchase energy in bulk at a reduced rate. If enough of them sign up, he said he was confident that most could save about 15 percent off their energy supply cost and 5-10 percent off their steam heat cost.

He hopes to collect electric bills from interested parishes in the next few weeks so he can reach out to vendors before energy prices rise in the winter.

“I would manage that and work with a broker to get the best pricing we can,” he said, “and then try to lock in a contract that protects against some of the spikes and ebbs and flows of the market.”

Mr. Schroeder said that dioceses in Springfield, Providence and Maine have purchased electricity together to save money. He has contacted many vendors and has narrowed the choice to three.

Mr. Schoeder said combining to save on gas heat was unlikely to work, but parishes might be able to save on an individual basis if they send him copies of their gas bills.

Mr. Schroeder pointed out that many programs offer the installation of insulation at low or no cost, but previously uninsulated churches should check their snow load and if there could be issues with the building’s plaster.

Rebates of up to $750 are available for more efficient heat pump water heaters and of $100 for smart thermostats.

Parish buildings with steam heat should have the steam traps on their radiators checked every few years and, if needed, repaired or replaced at no cost.

Adam Cormier, administrative assistant at St. Cecilia Parish in Leominster, was among those who logged on to the energy summit and he reported that St. Cecilia received a $9,500 rebate from Mass Save to cover the cost of replacing 210 steam traps. Mr. Cormier said the steam traps were replaced for the first time since the church opened in the early 1930s and he estimated that the heating bill has dropped by 30-40 percent.

After the summit, Mr. Schroeder told the Catholic Free Press that he thought the webinar went well.

“As long as we’re providing information and helping people,” Mr. Schroeder said, “then I’d say it was successful.”

Mr. Schroeder said he had never held such a summit before, but he had wanted to for a while. While visiting parishes, he had noticed ways they could save on heating and electric bills. Instead of addressing each parish individually, he decided to hold an informational pilot program online for everyone.

“I’d say my goal is to get as much participation as I can,” Mr. Schroeder said, “because I just know that there are opportunities. Even if only one or two parishes benefit, then that’s worth me spending an hour presenting. Any amount of savings we can get in the diocese is a win as far as I’m concerned, but I’m hoping it can be significant.”

If parishes or schools express interest in saving energy, Mr. Schroeder will connect them to contractors who can install the upgrades. Anyone with questions can contact Mr. Schroeder at [email protected].

Mr. Sycks said he hopes to also conduct virtual programs quarterly on various issues to pass along helpful information to parishes and schools.