Grace Lutheran Church in Libertyville recently saved money on its energy costs, and outreach team member Renee Denault wants other churches to know they may be able do the same.
Denault said Grace Lutheran recently underwent a free energy audit through Project Green Environmental Solutions. The audit "resulted in a huge savings for us," said Denault, thanks to the rebates the church was able to receive. The church is also doing its part by swapping out lighting—including putting LED bulbs in the interior exit signs—and using programmable thermostats in the building's six zones.
The result, Denault said, is that Grace Lutheran is now paying just 56 percent of what it was paying for energy. The church also received a $7,500 grant.
Grace Lutheran Church is a member of the Lake County Green Congregations, a group that meets once a month or every other month to talk about environment-related issues like recycling and conserving energy. The group also holds a Green Living Fair each spring at the Libertyville Civic Center. Member churches include United Methodist, St. Lawrence Episcopal, First Presbyterian, Holy Cross Lutheran and St. Joseph, along with Prairie Circle Unitarian Universalist in Grayslake.
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