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As caretakers of God's earth, we crave to shrink our dependence on energy sources which pollute our air, water, and land. The easiest way we can make headway is to reduce energy use in all areas of life. We can save quite a bit by keeping up on maintenance, boosting our energy efficiency.

Now that fall is upon us, we can comfortably climb up into the attic and check for leaks in the air ducts. Many people are finding that adding radiant barriers or new-generation attic insulation brings even more savings. Autumn is a super time to service the HVAC unit as well.

Weatherizing a house by sealing the doors and windows with caulk or weather stripping can lower heating and cooling energy use by 20%. Our homes will also be more comfortable with fewer drafts.

While we are at it, we can wrap the water heater with an insulation blanket; this lessens the need to reheat the water. It's inexpensive and easy to install.

Another easy approach is to use Energy Star and Water Sense products, many of which will be tax exempt the first weekend in October (see inset). It's a particularly good opportunity to replace an old refrigerator, known to be an energy guzzler.

Grant OurWish

Our homes aren't the only places we use energy, of course. Now we can have a big impact on our church's environmental footprint as well. If we take time for a congregational energy audit through the power company or the self-audit guidelines found at EPA. gov, we can develop a plan for an energy efficient make-over or a smaller energy-saving project. We might even be able to split the cost with the Kendeda Foundation.

Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL) is once again teaming up with the foundation to offer faith communities support through their Energy Improvement Grant Program. They are offering matching grants of up to $25, 000 to make energysaving facility improvements to congregations making a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Projects can range from replacing light bulbs to installing a new HVAC unit. Next round's applications are due November 15, 2008; go to www. GIPL. org/grant for information and an application.

Powerful Fundraiser

Congregations served by Georgia Power can protect creation and raise money for ministries, too. As described in "The Green Corner" in July, GA Power has a Power Credit program to help reduce the peak energy drawn on days when overall demand is especially high.

Residential homeowners who agree to have a switch put onto their air conditioner get a $20 rebate after installation and $2 each time the switches are activated by the power company.

GIPL has created a new program with GA Power allowing congregations to sign up for a Power Credit Drive. During the drive, each member who enrolls in Power Credit earns the congregation a $20 rebate in addition to the rewards the customer will receive. If five customers are recruited on the drive, then, the congregation earns $100. To sign up, check out www.GIPL.org/powercredit.

Step by Step

This time of year the calendar fills up and to-do lists grow. As we carve out our pumpkins, we also need to carve out time to reduce our energy waste. Weatherizing and maintenance efforts can blossom into efficiency revamps. Let's not forget, though, the simple act of turning out the light.

Vicki Coulter is a volunteer with The Climate Project and gives Environmental Stewardship presentations in Middle Georgia.