This is a text-only version of an article first published on Tuesday, 2 June 2020. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
The diocese is helping churches access both expert energy efficiency advice tailored to their building and small grants towards implementing the advisors' energy efficiency recommendations.
Energy efficiency can enable our churches to provide attractive places of sanctuary, fellowship and communion - with a comfortable level of warmth and illumination - at a lower cost to the planet, and sometimes with financial savings as well. One of the significant barriers for churches, however, is knowing what positive actions they can undertake.So that PCCs can obtain and begin to act on expert advice in this area, the Diocese of Oxford, in conjunction with its programme partners, Trust for Oxfordshire's Environment (TOE) and Inspired Efficiency, is piloting a scheme whereby churches can apply to receive discounted energy audits and small grants towards implementing practical recommendations highlighted by the audits. The energy audits, carried out by professionals with experience of historic places of worship, will look at a range of energy uses in the church building, from lighting to heating, and recommend the energy and carbon reduction measures available.
These can include simple changes that will cost nothing - such as setting adjustments and changing practices - as well as options for renewable technologies, better controls, or changes in equipment.
In addition to giving you a sense of what is possible, the professional reports will be helpful for fundraising.