St Ambrose Parish Brunswick- reducing its carbon footprint
Watch the interview with Father Michael
Look at the changes that have been made at the St Ambrose parish
St Ambrose Parish has been a part of the Brunswick community for almost 140 years .Over the last few years, the Parish has been taking steps to reduce their energy use and is quickly becoming a community leader in taking action on climate change.
Throughout the Parish properties, the following has been achieved.
Simple things the Parish has done:
- Replaced old showerheads with water efficient ones.
- Changed light globes to energy efficient compact fluorescents.
Some of the more complex things done:
- Replacement of 13 electric heaters in the Parish house with a high efficiency gas central heating unit.
- Installation of ceiling insulation to another of the Parish properties has meant that the house, without heating, now holds a constant temperature of 16 degrees even on the coldest days of winter.
- Installation of a central heating unit to replace one space heater.
- Installation of a water tank, connected to the washing machine.
- Installation of a grey water unit for the garden.
- Installation of a solar, hybrid gas boosted hot water storage system.
- Installation of 7 x 23 watt energy efficient par 38 spotlight globes (replacing 7 x 120 watt par 38 spotlight globes)
- Installation of 6 new energy efficient light assemblies using 70 watt light globes. (Replacing 6 x 175 watt light globes)
- Signed up for 100% green power on the two parish residential properties.
Emission reduction and savings
Parish house:
- Having removed 13 electric heaters, the estimated reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from heating will be around 50% (as central heating has been in place for over three years, this has been proven and figures reflect this)
- Reduction in water useage (by comparing one billing period over two years, 163 kl to 89 kl – saving $110.00)
- Savings in electricity consumption and emissions from spotlights. Old lights – 840 watts; new lights – 161 watts. This saving = 679 watts. (Recently installed but waiting for the bill to calculate monetary value)
Bethany House:
- Reduction in green house gas emissions from heating.
- Reduction in electricity consumption and emissions by using solar hot water: Electricity 1100 kwh to 280 kwh, saving about $80.00 per bill (yearly approximately $320.00)
- Green house emissions savings – 2.3 tonnes to .59 tonne. (figures from one billing period) Estimated yearly savings of 10 tonnes.
Church:
Savings in electricity consumption and emissions from lights.
(Old lights used 1050 watts. New lights use 420 watts, saving 630 watts)
(Recently installed but waiting for the bill to calculate monetary value)
Converting to green power --- The costs:
Parish house: $750.00 per year (covered by savings from recycling water and removal of electric heaters).
Bethany house: $160.00 per year ( covered by savings from removal of electric hot water unit)
Government rebates:
The Parish has received Government rebates for the rain water tank, grey water unit and the solar hot water unit.
Great news !
The Parish had a green house gas audit carried out on 5th June 2008 and their green house footprint was calculated as to be 38.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum. With the work that the parish has carried out, they have calculated a reduction of approximately 23.92 tonnes per annum, bringing their new footprint total to somewhere near 14.58 tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum.
The Parish still has further works planned to lower their carbon emissions in line with Zero Carbon Moreland’s goals.
