A: Fill out this form, and our Power Wise Program Director will contact you to let you know how you can get started.
Q: Why do you need 12 months of our past energy bills before my congregation can receive a Power Wise Energy Audit?
A: The 12 months of energy data that you send us before scheduling your Energy Audit allows us to calculate your baseline energy usage. This enables our professional Energy Auditor to conduct important analyses before your Energy Audit. Later, your baseline energy usage will help you see how the energy improvements you make to your facilities are decreasing your energy usage. The baseline energy performance will also help us calculate your Pay-It-Forward (PIF) contribution.
Q: Why do I have to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)?
A: The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a good-faith agreement between your congregation and GIPL. This document details what is expected of each party when your congregation signs up for Power Wise, including how much your congregation has agreed to pay for the Energy Audit and what GIPL will provide in return. The MOU also provides notice of the Pay-It-Forward (PIF) contribution. The MOU is not a legally-binding contract.
Q: How long will it take to schedule my Energy Audit?
A: Once we have received all the requested information, including the background data sheet, the MOU, and the past 12 months of your congregation’s natural gas and electric bills, an Energy Audit can be scheduled in about a week or two.
Q: Who should attend the Energy Audit?
A: It is important that at least one person who has access and keys to all areas of the buildings, including attics, crawl spaces, and boiler rooms, etc., be present at the Energy Audit. This person should also be familiar with the history of your congregation. Other interested congregation members are also welcome to come along on the Energy Audit.
Q: How long will the Energy Audit take?
A: Generally, the on-site portion of the Energy Audit will be completed in 2 - 4 hours, depending on the size of your building(s).
Q: Who performs the Power Wise Energy Audits?
A: Gary Gabriel (PE, CEM, LEED-AP, HBDP) performs all of our Power Wise Energy Audits. Gabriel is the Director of Sustainable Building Design at CDH Partners Inc. He has 26 years experience and has been a licensed mechanical Professional Engineer for 21 years.
Q: When do I have to start using the Monthly Bills Tracking System?
A: You will start entering your energy data from your electric and gas bills three months after you receive your Energy Audit Report. We will send you an email reminder at that time with detailed instructions about entering your energy data into the Monthly Bills Tracking System.
Q: How do I enter my electricity and gas bills into the Monthly Bills Tracking System?
A: You can access the Monthly Bills Tracking System on our website through the Power Wise page. (You’ll see the link on the left hand side once you are on the Power Wise page.) Use your Power Wise ID and password to log in to the system. Once you’ve logged in, simply enter the required information from each of your bills into the Monthly Bills Tracking System.
Q: Which information on my bills do I need to enter into the Monthly Bills Tracking System each month?
A: Each month when you get your electricity and natural gas bills, you will enter the following information for each bill you receive: the start and end dates for that bill, the amount of energy used, and the total cost of your bill.
Please refer to our Sample Energy Bills page, where you can view and download examples of electricity, natural gas, and combined bills to help you identify the necessary information on each of your bills.
A: The Pay-It-Forward (PIF) Contribution is a means to sustain Power Wise. GIPL pays $600 to $1,000 for each Energy Audit, but we are able to offer this service to congregations for only $100-300 because grants subsidize the remaining amount and the auditor gives an in-kind donation of his time for each audit. However, the program’s current grant funding will end on December 31, 2011. There are over 15,000 communities of faith in Georgia that could use an Energy Audit, and our hope is that you will help continue this program through your PIF contribution.
Q: How will my PIF be calculated?
A: Three months after you receive your Energy Audit Report, your congregation will start entering data from your monthly electric and natural gas bills into the Power Wise Monthly Bills Tracking System. After twelve months, your congregation’s current energy usage will be compared to the baseline energy usage that was calculated before your Energy Audit. After adjusting for weather and fuel cost changes, GIPL will calculate your dollar savings. This will form the basis of the 1/3 PIF contribution you will be asked to give back to GIPL each year for three years. The exact amount of your PIF contribution will be determined through discussion between GIPL and your congregation.
For budgeting purposes, GIPL provides a PIF contribution estimate based on the main Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) identified in your congregation's Energy Audit Report.
Q: When will I be billed for PIF?
A: You will receive you first invoice for your PIF after you’ve entered 12 months of energy data into the Monthly Bills Tracking System. Your congregation is expected to start entering this data three months after you receive your Energy Audit Report, which means you will receive your first PIF invoice 15 months after you receive your Energy Audit Report. At this time, we can discuss whether you are able to do yearly, quarterly or monthly payments on this amount.
Q: How can my congregation receive an Energy Improvement Matching Grant?
A: Any congregation or faith-based community (including faith-based schools) is eligible to apply for an Energy Improvement Matching Grant. Matching Grants are available for up to $25,000 to fund energy efficiency improvements and other projects that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive. Applicants must receive a Power Wise Energy Audit prior to applying for the Matching Grant. Congregations must also demonstrate a commitment to Creation care in worship, education, and programming.
Q: What kinds of projects get funded through the Matching Grant program?
Energy Improvement Matching Grants can be used for projects ranging from replacing light bulbs to getting that super-efficient HVAC unit installed. Refer to our Matching Grants page to see examples of projects funded in the past.
For certain equipment, including Energy Star® kitchen appliances, office equipment, heating and air conditioning units, and water heaters, you can apply for funding for the price difference between a low efficiency and the new high efficiency model.
