Energy Education, Energy Star Focus Efforts on Orlando Church

Since it was founded in 1871, Orlando's First Baptist Church (FBC) has expanded several times and grown to 15,000 members, making energy costs all the more important—which is why Energy Education stepped in. By partnering with both Energy Star and and Energy Education, FBC Orlando hoped to tackle its rising utility costs, which were approaching $1 million per year.

By controlling costs, the church is free to put the additional savings toward domestic, local and foreign ministries and missions. FBC Orlando is the largest contributor to missions of any Southern Baptist congregation, donating $1.5 million each year. The church was also concerned about using nature's resources in the most efficient way possible, and is paying attention to adjusting temperatures and scheduling events so that certain locations' lights and climate control can be turned off when they're not in use. FBC Orlando is focusing on three specific areas: energy accounting, mechanical operation and energy awareness. This is what makes up the church's Energy Management Action Plan, which helped save more than $1 million between October 2008 and March 2011. It plans to save an additional million in even less time. The church was awarded the annual Energy Star Congregations Award in 2010, which encouraged the congregation to continue their energy-efficient path to even more savings.