One of the churches we've been working with is Leyland Methodist Church, which already has the Eco Congregation Award, and is striving to reduce the church’s environmental impacts. Jeff has developed a system which ensures that all consumption of resources is monitored each and every week - on the same day and at the same time.  This is an example of excellent practice.  It allows for accurate billing rather than estimated bills, which may not be in your favour and therefore allows accurate financial forecasting. It allows comparisons of consumption at time frames such as weekly, monthly and year on year etc.  Therefore allows trends to be identified.  It allows a greater understanding of building energy performance.  It becomes embedded within the culture of the church.

Having an environmental and energy audit also helps to identify good practice such as Levenshulme Baptist Church.   From the meter readings, we assessed how well the church was performing when considering the outside temperature over time.  It was pleasing to see a church which was in control and not throwing away money to pay for excessive heating demands. But until you audit, how will you know if you are in control of your heating demand which in turn may lessen your CO2 footprint, or alternatively, helping to increase the profit margins of those energy giants?