The Energy Conservation Assistance Program started in fiscal year 2016 and has approved $165,238 in grants in support of 29 energy projects either completed or in progress, as of January 2025. In total, these projects will result in more than $925,000 in energy efficiency upgrades. 

Projects that are completed or in-progress include:

• Rising Hope Mission Church, Franconia District: A reimbursement grant of $10,000 helped pay to replace all of their interior lights with LEDs. The project is expected to save 70% in energy costs or $3,140 annually from the reduction in lighting energy use. The payback for this project is estimated at 2.5 years.

• Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Mount Vernon District: A reimbursement grant of $10,000 helped with the replacement of 50 metal halide light poles with LED light poles in their parking lot. This project will result in a 66% reduction in energy use and an estimated savings of $6,019 per year. The payback period for this project after the reimbursement grant is just under 3 years.

• Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Providence District: A reimbursement grant of $10,000 was used to upgrade and replace their lights with energy saving LEDs. This interior lighting project will provide 68% in annual energy savings or an estimated $1,510 in annual energy costs. The payback period for this project after the reimbursement grant is approximately 3 years.

• Providence Presbyterian, Braddock District: A reimbursement grant of $10,000 was used to replace 186 lighting fixtures with LEDs. The project will result in an estimated annual electricity cost of $1,500 or a reduction of 70% in energy use. The payback period is approximately 7 years.

• Annandale United Methodist Church, Mason and Braddock Districts: A reimbursement grant of $6,908 supported a Level 2 ASHRAE Energy Audit at two campuses. A second reimbursement grant of $5,163.75 helped fund the installation of a variable frequency drive (VFD) for one of the HVAC units that will improve the energy efficiency of the unit.

• Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mason District A reimbursement grant of $3,750 helped offset the cost of an ASHRAE Level 2 energy audit in 2024. The church is exploring opportunities to implement recommendations from the audit. In 2020, a reimbursement grant of about $800 helped the church replace two dishwashers with ENERGY STAR models. The project resulted in a total investment in energy efficiency upgrades of $1,639.96.

• Heritage Presbyterian, Mount Vernon District: A reimbursement grant of $10,000 was used to replace their aging HVAC with a more energy-efficiency system. The replacement system is 18% more energy efficient than the minimum code requirements. Actual savings from the new HVAC will be tracked and shared after installation.

• Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax, Providence District: A reimbursement grant of $4,094.48 was used to replace their air conditioning/gas furnace with a high-efficiency heat pump system. A load calculation indicated a reduction in the size of the system, further contributing to the energy cost savings for this project. A smart thermostat was also installed to enhance the energy savings from pre-set heating and cooling settings based on building occupancy and use. The annual cost savings is expected to be $770.

• Deer Run Crossing, Franconia District: A reimbursement grant of $2,704 supported the installation of eight LED parking lot lights and supporting infrastructure in 2024. This project will result in an 87% reduction in energy use and an estimated annual savings of $901 per year. The pay back period for this project is only 6 years. 

• Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church, Springfield District: A reimbursement grant of $10,000 supported the installation of a 31.99 kW photovoltaic solar system on the roof in 2024. This will provide a 100% offset of their annual energy use. The project is also eligible for the federal Inflation Reduction Act (Direct Pay) tax credit. As a result, the payback period for this project is just less than 8 years given an estimated energy cost savings of $4,000 per year and the balance remaining after the grant and tax credit. Watch the video now.

• Holy Comforter, Hunter Mill District: A reimbursement grant of $10,000 supported the installation of a 136.3kW solar array on a parking lot canopy in 2024. This innovative project along with an additional solar system on the campus (not supported by this grant program) will meet all of the church's electricity needs and achieve a goal of net zero.

• Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, Mount Vernon District: A reimbursement grant of $10,000 was provided for insulation remediation and duct improvements for an historic building on their campus in 2024. The insulation and duct work was an important step to improve energy efficiency in the building. This project was a recommendation from an ASHRAE Level 2 Energy Audit completed earlier this year and supported by this program. This project will result in an annual savings of $1,471.82 or 18% for each electric (kW) and gas (therms) annual use. 

• Parkwood Baptist Church, Braddock District: A reimbursement grant of $824 helped fund the conversion of 290 light fixtures (580 LED tubes) in 2024. The entire project was completed with 158 volunteer hours that significantly reduced the cost of the project. Parkwood Baptist Church will see a reduction in their utility bills by reducing their light energy use by 75%.

• Lutheran Church of the Abiding Presence, Springfield District: A reimbursement grant of $3,750 helped offset the cost of an ASHRAE Level 2 energy audit in 2023. A second reimbursement grant of $10,000 helped fund two (twinned) high-efficiency condensing natural gas furnaces that were installed in 2024 based on a recommendation from the audit.  The new furnaces have an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating of 95% and are ENERGY STAR® qualified. Replacement of both furnaces with efficient condensing furnaces will provide an annual savings of $429 per year.

• Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, Mount Vernon District: A reimbursement grant of $2,092 helped offset the cost of an ASHRAE Level 2 energy audit in 2024. The church is moving ahead with an audit recommendation. The project will result in insulation remediation and air duct improvements in one of their buildings. The cost-savings are estimated at $600 per year for the insulation alone with additional savings expected with other associated project improvements. 

• Westbriar Condominiums, Providence District: A reimbursement grant of $5,000 helped the condo association replace all of the fluorescent light fixtures in the association garages, stairwells and utility rooms with LED bulbs and occupancy sensors in 2017 for an annual projected cost savings of approximately $50,000. The project resulted in a total investment in energy efficiency upgrades of $139,354.18.

• Westwood Baptist Church, Springfield District: A reimbursement grant of $5,000 helped the church replace interior light fixtures and parking lot lighting with LEDs and sensors in 2019. The project resulted in a total investment in energy efficiency upgrades of $17,482.90.

• St. Peter’s in the Woods Episcopal Church, Springfield District: An energy audit in 2020 led to a reimbursement grant of nearly $3,000 that helped the church replace weatherstripping, install LED fixtures/bulbs, and ENERGY STAR® kitchen appliances - all energy saving alternatives.  Much of the labor was provided by volunteers. The project resulted in a total investment in energy efficiency upgrades of $5,961.79.