The mission of the Interfaith Coalition on Energy is to inspire congregations to reduce the costs of operating their facilities. We guide congregations to use measurably less energy, to purchase energy at lower cost, and to anticipate and prevent problems with mechanical and electrical systems within their buildings. Our mutual goal is to create money for community service while practicing environmental stewardship. Here are the publications we currently offer. List the ones you want and send with a check to ICE, 7217 Oak Avenue, Melrose Park, PA 19027. For further information, you can either email us, or you can call us at 215-635-1122 or fax us at 215-635-1903.
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1.A Our newsletter, Comfort & Light
1.C Booklet on older buildings
1.D Forming your local coalition
PART 2. OUR RESEARCH REPORTS
Section 2.A On worship space operation
2.A.1 The positive effect of cool temperatures on pipe organs
2.A.2 Natural rationale for unoccupied interior temperatures as low as 45F
2.A.3 Measurements showing savings from gas-fired ceramic panel infrared heating
2.A.4 Why water treatment for low pressure cast iron steam boilers may be a waste of money
2.A.5 Measurements casting doubts on reflectors inside fluorescent fixtures
2.A.6 Why ceiling fans may not be effective during the heating season
2.A.7 Lightning: protecting worship centers
2.A.8 Steam traps and their maintenance
2.A.9 Hints and guidelines for calculating the cost of renting space
2.A.10 Basic Information on wireless antennas in steeples
2.A.11 Federal Excise Taxes on Gasoline
2.A.12 ICE’s booklet on replacing windows.
2.A.13 A Primer on Maintenance of Heating and Electrical Systems.
Section 2.B Energy and religion
2.B.1 Energy and lifestyle -- energy thrift and the Amish
2.B.3 Energy and environmental activities for religious congregations
2.B.4 Energy Activities for Faithful Youth
2.B.5 Biblical citations on the Environment
Section 2.C For design professionals
2.C.1 Guidelines for new buildings and major renovations
2.C.2 Computer simulation summary of the energy performance of a worship space
2.C.3 Sustainable construction questions for potential design professionals
2.C.4 Summary of data on religious building energy use
2.C.5 Why older houses of worship have lower energy costs
2.C.6 Energy used in parsonages
2.C.7 Energy for the congregation's kitchen
Section 2.D Recruiting and training facility managers
2.D.1 Questions to ask candidates for a facilities management position
2.D.2 Job description for a congregation's facility manager
SECTION 3. COLLECTIONS OF ARTICLES
3.A Several articles by Andrew Rudin from YOUR CHURCH magazine
3.B Packet of five 12-page ICE newsletters from 1991-92
3.C Packet of currently available ICE newsletters since 1993
3.D Packet of a dozen articles by Andrew Rudin from GREEN CROSS/CREATION CARE magazines
SECTION 4. Hardware
4.B Small switchplate stickers
PART 1. OUR BASIC DOCUMENTS
1.A Our newsletter, Comfort & Light (two or more times per year)
We have published 82 issues of our newsletter. Each 4-page issue contains unique information based on measured data, on-site experience and/or consensus among experts. We publish the newsletter two or more times per year, but we do not publish one until we have sufficient important information.
We ask for a contribution of $30 per year.
Our self-survey workbook helps you analyze your own buildings if you are in a northern climate. This booklet is in its twelfth edition, having evolved to a publication for which we receive high marks.
We charge $10 each.
1.C Booklet on older buildings
In 1991 we published this 49-page compendium of articles on Operations, Maintenance, Preservation and Energy for older religious buildings. The booklet contains relevant articles from our past newsletters concerning the wisdom in older building designs, roofing fire safety, the effects of low interior temperatures on paint, paper and pipe organs, and a comparison of the measured temperature swings to justify steep temperature setback during the heating season.
We charge $16 per copy.
1.D Forming your local coalition
A booklet on how to form and operate a local interfaith coalition on energy for congregations where you live.
We charge $5 each for it.
PART 2. OUR RESEARCH REPORTS COST $5 EACH, unless stated otherwise.
Section 2.A On worship space operation
2.A.1 The positive effect of cool temperatures on pipe organs
In 1986 ICE polled all the members of the Associated Pipe Organ Builders of America to develop a consensus that interior winter temperatures can be as low as 45 degrees without harming, and even helping, pipe organs.
2.A.2 Natural rationale for unoccupied interior temperatures as low as 45F
Measured changes in temperature and relative humidity over 13 months in a 1920s Lutheran church show that the natural fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity in the spring, summer and fall can be simulated by a clock thermostat set to 45 degrees during the winter.
2.A.3 Measurements showing savings from gas-fired ceramic panel infrared heating
We measured the natural gas heating of a gymnasium that had two separately metered heating systems -- hot water through coils in an air handler, and gas-fired ceramic panel infrared. The panels used less gas, but there are other important considerations.
2.A.4 Why water treatment for low pressure cast iron steam boilers may be a waste of money
Our 1997 consensus among manufacturers of cast iron sectional, low pressure, steam boilers which questions the need for water treatment and suggests alternatives.
2.A.5 Measurements casting doubts on reflectors inside fluorescent fixtures
In the basement of a Catholic rectory, we carefully measured the installation of reflectors in ceiling fluorescent fixtures to show they are no bargain.
2.A.6 Why ceiling fans may not be effective during the heating season
Actual tests in a Presbyterian Church to show that air temperature at the ceiling and pew level did not differ more than one or two degrees F., which means that ceiling fans blow air colder than most of us thought. Our experiments were substantiated by the Canadian Government and the US Navy. SEE ARTICLE
2.A.7 Lightning: protecting worship centers
Information on lighting and surge protection to keep your steeple, church and electronic equipment from being zapped.
2.A.8 Steam traps and their maintenance
These little gismos work hard to keep the steam where it does the most good, but they are invisible. This report discusses how to take care of them.
2.A.9 Hints and guidelines for calculating the cost of renting space
This is a big report which contains information about insurance, energy costs, sample leases and other helpful articles -- a chunky package for which we charge $10.
2.A.10 Basic Information on wireless antennas in steeples
Advice to help your congregation negotiate a favorable deal. ICE has collected some actual steeple leases from lawyers and churches. If you accept a few hundred dollars per month and no upfront payment, you may be giving away the steeple. Packet provides advice about upfront charges to the contractors, lease agreements, roof maintenance, what happens when the equipment is removed, zoning and permit deadlines, down-payments, electric metering and physical appearance (especially for historic buildings.) We charge $10 for this publication. We can provide a copy of a separate booklet on wireless antennas from the National Trust for Historic Preservation for an additional $10.
2.A.11 Federal Excise Taxes on Gasoline
A few years ago, a congregation merely had to submit a form to the IRS to avoid paying the 18 cent per gallon excise tax on gasoline for school buses and vans. Now, things are different. The congregation must send a specifically-worded letter to their gasoline supplier. Also, exempt congregations are entitled to three-years' of past taxes mistakenly paid, so we have included a form for that too. The letter is available on hard copy, by Email and on IBM formatted computer disk as well for $5 each.
2.A.12 ICE’s booklet on replacing windows
We consider the economics of the energy savings based on estimates from Consumer Reports magazine (included) along with alternatives to replacement. As with most of our reports, we charge $5, which includes postage and handling.
2.A.13 A Primer on Maintenance of Heating and Electrical Systems.
Ten basic steps toward improving the condition of electrical and mechanical systems. One is to vary the locations of property committee meetings. Another is to build a large manual of how to operate your buildings. And there are eight other suggestions, too.
Section 2.B Energy and religion
2.B.1 Energy and lifestyle -- energy thrift and the Amish
One of our best articles -- why the Amish conclude from their Christian beliefs that cars and connection to the utility electric grid is harmful to their families and communities. We also list references to non-Amish sources of the same conclusions.
We devoted a whole 12-page newsletter to an analysis of energy in the Bible written for us in 1989 by Orin G. Gelderloos, a professor in the Department of Natural Sciences at the University of Michigan in Dearborn.
2.B.3 Energy and environmental activities for religious congregations
Activities include celebrating the wisdom of the ages, tours of secular space inside worship centers, mechanical room enlightenment, anointing the boiler, cleansing the boiler room, posting of accounts, mime the turn off, ringing in responsibility, witnessing the dumpster, clothing the naked pipes, and making the best fans. A bit corny, but interesting.
2.B.4 Energy Activities for Faithful Youth
About 20 activities for religious education classes such as mapping the path of the sun on the classroom floor, labeling equipment in boiler rooms and on roofs, planning zero-energy worship, and having classes conducted by maintenance personnel.
2.B.5 Biblical citations on the Environment
Years in the assembling, Fred Krueger, Campaign coordinator for the Religious Campaign for Forest Conservation in California has compiled a list of about 500 references to the environment from the Old and New Testaments. He has authorized ICE to sell these for $5 each, including postage and handling. Fred Krueger believes that a complete list includes about 800 entries. In addition to the list available through ICE, Fred Krueger sells an annotated list directly to those who wish to send $22 made out to RCFC, 409 Mendocino Avenue, Suite A, Santa Rosa, CA 95401.
Section 2.C For design professionals
2.C.1 Guidelines for new buildings and major renovations
Reprint of our October 1988 article in CONSTRUCTION SPECIFIER magazine with hints for planning new construction and major renovation. Our suggestions for more efficient lighting has become dated.
2.C.2 Computer simulation summary of the energy performance of a worship space
Energy Analysis of Protective Glazing involves a DOE II.e computer simulation by Enermodal Energy Engineering (at our suggestion) of a church in Evanston, IL showing that second layers of glazing do not save much money at all, even if you "move" the building to colder and warmer climates. This is part of a much larger study of secondary glazing by Inspired Partnerships in Chicago. Also includes a summary of data from a second model of the same church using PowerDoe. This second summary shows the relationship of temperature setback to thermal insulation.
2.C.3 Sustainable construction questions for potential design professionals
Designing a Worship Center with Minimal Environmental Impact contains a peer-reviewed list of over 110 questions which congregations can ask architects and engineers in order to embody their concerns into the design of new buildings and major renovations? Examples --"To where will large quantities of snow be stored?" and "Have the children been asked about their preferences?"
2.C.4 Summary of data on religious building energy use
Religious Building Energy Use - an Update of our article from the February 1988 ASHRAE JOURNAL which summarizes conclusions from our relational database on 241 non-residential and 145 residential buildings belonging to religious congregations. The information summarizes measured data by building type, year of survey, floor area, age, type of heating system control, fuel source, type of heating distribution system, number of heating zones, input heating capacity, domestic hot water system, lighting type, and combustion efficiency.
2.C.5 Why older houses of worship have lower energy costs
In this 1997 case study of energy use by age of worship centers ICE has once again analyzed measured energy and building data from 302 places of worship in and around Philadelphia. This report is a copy of our article from the November 1997 issue of HEATING, PIPING and AIR CONDITIONING magazine showing that the electric power requirement for air conditioning the electric power requirement per square foot roughly doubles and then triples as worship centers become newer.
2.C.6 Energy used in parsonages
Most congregations are responsible for at least one residence. Our 1989 study describes the building characteristics and energy use in 80 parsonages.
2.C.7 Energy for the congregation's kitchen
Everything happens in a kitchen -- cooking, lighting, hot water, heating, ventilating, washing and refrigeration. Our article has measured data on kitchen energy use and suggestions on reducing it.
Section 2.D Recruiting and training facility managers
2.D.1 Questions to ask candidates for a facilities management position
Clergy and property committees need to know what questions to ask people applying for facility management positions. This November 1996 consensus report contains three dozen multiple choice questions to ask candidates, and has a separate list of the questions with the correct answers identified.
2.D.2 Job description for a congregation's facility manager
This document contains every possible job responsibility and congregation responsibility we know of. It is not meant that a congregation use the whole document, but that it selects relevant items and prints out the document. Therefore we offer this in three formats -- hard copy, Email, or on IBM format computer disk -- each for $5.
SECTION 3. COLLECTIONS OF ARTICLES
3.A Several articles by Andrew Rudin from YOUR CHURCH magazine
Packet contains articles on lamps, energy surveys, utility bills, cooling, asbestos, fire prevention and fuel oil heat.
3.B Packet of five 12-page ICE newsletters from 1991-92
Our articles on energy in Swiss churches, lightning protection, congregant automobiles, asbestos hysteria, energy implications of Hanukkah, radiant barriers, history of oil in Pennsylvania, Amish energy opinions, 12-step program for energy addicts, garbage, patterns in guessing space temperature, and an 11" by 17" poster of the Philly Phanatic urging energy conservation.
3.C Packet of currently available ICE newsletters since 1993
You could get a pretty good-sized package of all the past newsletters we have in stock. What you get depends on our supply at the time you place your order.
3.D Packet of a dozen articles by Andrew Rudin from GREEN CROSS/CREATION CARE magazines
Articles on making boiler rooms more hospitable, reducing electric use watt by watt, myths about saving energy in religious buildings, and getting a high quality energy survey of your buildings.
SECTION 4. Hardware
We have ivory single switch plates engraved with ¼ inch green lettering in capitals “KEEP OFF” that we sell for $5 each.
4.B Small switchplate stickers
The silver stickers are imprinted with black ink which reads “DANGER Turning on this light is harmful to the environment.” 5 for a dollar.