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How Much Energy Does The Average Church Use?

Churches and places of worship have a vital role in the community, and it’s essential to ensure they’re well-maintained and running efficiently to continue service.

But managing energy usage and reducing energy bills can be a real challenge. Budget limitations, historical buildings that are hard to heat, and increasing wholesale energy prices make it tough to keep costs under control.

Thankfully, Business Energy Comparison can help you better manage your energy consumption and find great business gas and electricity prices.

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Church

Size and Usage of a Church

Churches face high energy prices primarily due to their size and layout, but also lack modern insulation features as many are incredibly old. Constructed primarily with stone, energy efficiency was not a priority during their construction.

Consequently, they consume more energy, leading to higher utility bills.

The average size of a church in the UK is approximately 400 square meters, and they commonly rely on electrical heaters and numerous lighting sources.

Besides regular services, churches may also host community events such as weddings, catering events, and other worship services. This requires continuous operation and contributes to several hours of energy usage.

We can then calculate the total amount of energy used by a church when considering all these factors.

Energy Usage

When considering the total energy usage of your church, it’s important to be mindful of the busiest periods. How much energy you consume can differ based on the church’s size, the number of appliances it uses, and how often it operates.

In the case of a church that measures 400 square meters, the average energy consumption would be between approximately 22,000 and 30,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh). This is equivalent to around 9-10 times higher than the average UK household.

However, implementing smart changes can lead to significant reductions in church energy costs. Monitoring and optimizing energy usage during necessary times and minimizing consumption during periods of low activity can be beneficial.

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Energy Saving Tips for Churches

Cutting down and eliminating energy waste can significantly help in saving money and freeing up funds for other important church initiatives.

Here are a few tips to help save money on energy bills and establish a more energy-efficient church:

Perform an energy audit

Take a close look at how energy-efficient your church is and compile a list of solutions to cut down energy consumption. Church leadership can conduct the energy audit themselves or enlist the help of a professional. They’ll be able to point out all the upgrades needed to make your energy use more efficient.

This energy audit serves as a guide towards achieving your energy-saving goals. To put this into action, you’ll need the support of your staff and volunteers.

Consider alternative lighting solutions

Lighting accounts for a significant amount of energy consumption and the resulting high energy prices, so upgrading to an energy-saving alternative is a wise choice.

LED lighting can lead to long-term savings of up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than traditional fluorescent bulbs and incandescent lamps.

Another way you can reduce business electricity bills is by encouraging staff and volunteers to switch off lights when not in use.

Design Elements

Enhance heating systems

Due to their large size, churches often require substantial energy for heating. Regularly servicing gas heating systems and boilers and pipes can increase efficiency by up to 15% and help reduce church gas prices.

Another cost-effective heating solution can be to install a gas central heating system. By incorporating more gas sources into an electrical heating system, churches can benefit from a consistent and reliable heat supply over time.

Improve insulation

Improving insulation and ventilation within the church is another effective energy-saving strategy. This can be done by sealing gaps around windows and keeping doors closed, as well as replacing old insulation.

Install rooftop solar panels

Installing solar panels on church rooftops offers multiple benefits, including reducing environmental impact and saving on electricity prices. By generating their own electricity, churches can become more energy independent instead of relying solely on energy providers.

Combing this energy-saving strategy with smart heating and lighting solutions can further help reduce church energy prices. Churches often have spacious roofs with a 45-degree angle, making them an ideal setting for installation.

Switch energy suppliers

One of the easiest and most effective approaches to reducing energy consumption and costs by far is by comparing energy suppliers. While this task may seem like a lot of work, Business Energy Comparison is here to help!

We can help you find the best rates for business gas and electricity in your area. Our partnerships with leading utility and energy providers in the UK allow us to offer you the most comprehensive church energy prices for business utilities, gas and electricity available.

Choose renewable energy sources

Churches can also save on energy bills by adopting renewable energy sources like green gas and electricity, helping to significantly reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner environment.

There are various renewable energy options to explore with Business Energy Comparison, each with its own benefits and affordability. Switching to renewables may prove to be more cost-effective than expected, while also making a positive impact on sustainability.

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Compare Church Energy Prices with Business Energy Comparison

When it comes to managing your church’s energy costs, it’s worth comparing quotes from different suppliers.

But it’s not just about energy prices. You can also compare other features offered by energy companies to make an informed choice that suits your church’s unique needs. But with numerous options available in the market, selecting the right supplier is key.

That’s where Business Energy Comparison comes in.

With our energy comparison services, you’ll gain access to great deals from the UK’s leading energy suppliers. From SME energy prices to large company business energy, you can get a comparison quote of the best gas and electricity suppliers.

When your current energy supplier contract is up, you can seamlessly switch to your new energy supplier. It’s a hassle-free process that saves you time and headaches.

Get in touch with our business energy brokers and consultants today and experience the ease and benefits as we find you the best deal for your church’s needs.

Start your journey and compare business gas and electricity rates with Business Energy Comparison today. Use our price comparison tool and in less time than it takes to make a brew, we’ll compile your best prices from the UK’ s best suppliers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you compare energy suppliers for more than one church?

If you own or manage multiple churches or places of worship, you can consolidate your energy bills through a multi-site energy contract.

With a multi-site contract, you can streamline your billing by combining all your costs into a single account. This simplifies the process of monitoring and managing your energy expenses across various sites. A multi-site contract also offers cost savings and efficiency benefits.

What should you do if your church is overpaying VAT for electricity and gas?

It’s recommended to review your recent energy bill to check if your church, with its charitable status, has been charged 20% VAT. If this is the case, you’ve been overcharged and will need to claim a refund from the energy supplier. You can do this by completing a VAT declaration form. This will enable you to reclaim the overpayment and rectify the VAT charges.

How long does it take to switch your place of worship’s energy supplier?

Switching energy providers for a church typically requires more time compared to a domestic energy switch. Generally, it takes around 4-6 weeks to switch from one energy contract to another for a place of worship.

Although these times may vary, the switch will not affect your energy supply during the process.

Is there a cost to switching a church's energy supplier?

With Business Energy Comparison, there is no fee involved in comparing energy providers for your church.

Although, if your church is currently bound by a contract with your current energy provider, you may need to pay an exit fee if you wish to end the contract early. Before cancelling your existing energy agreement, it’s best to inquire with your supplier about any potential exit fees.