The “Energy-Saving-Parish” initiative of the state of Lower Austria sets an example for the preservation of creation, saving electricity and promoting renewable energies in church facilities. This year a total of 110 projects were selected, which were submitted by parishes, educational centers and congregations. These measures underline the commitment to energy efficiency and sustainable energy supply in church buildings. A total of around 490,000 euros in funding was received, triggering investments of around 2.9 million euros.
“The earth is only entrusted to us. We want to preserve creation and support our churches and religious institutions. The parishes’ funded projects make a valuable contribution to the environment and at the same time save expensive energy. Because the best energy is the one that is not used in the first place, but the believers should still be comfortable and warm during the service,” says LH deputy Stephan Pernkopf. The projects range from the installation of photovoltaic systems, thermal renovations, the conversion to LED lighting to the optimization of heating systems including seat heating.
“The commitment to climate protection is an expression of our responsibility for creation. The parishes in Lower Austria are making a valuable contribution here by relying on sustainable energy and protecting the environment,” emphasizes Bishop Alois Schwarz. Since its launch in 2013, the “Energy Saving Parish” campaign launched by Pernkopf has already funded 542 projects with around two million, triggering a total of 10.9 million euros in investments, reducing emissions and promoting renewable energies.
Examples of this include: Parish of St. Pölten-Maria Lourdes (conversion from gas to pellet heating and switch to LED lighting), St. Benedikt educational center in Seitenstetten (optimization of heating control and distribution with existing biomass local heating), Parish of Aggsbach ( Conversion from oil to biomass district heating), Bischofstetten parish (thermal renovation with replacement of windows in the rectory), Lackenhof parish (Insulation of the top floor ceiling in the sacristy and conversion to LED lighting in the parish church), Pöchlarn parish (photovoltaic system and electricity storage), Hollabrunn parish (conversion from gas to pellet heating and domestic water heat pumps), Wolfsgraben parish (conversion from gas to pellets and log heating and PV system including electricity storage), Absdorf parish (conversion from gas to heat pump) and the Evangelical parish of Schwechat (conversion from oil to pellet heating).
Further information: DI Jürgen Maier, press spokesman LH-Deputy. Dr. Stephan Pernkopf, Telephone: +43 2742 9005 – 12704, Mobile: +43 676 812 15283, Email: lhstv.pernkopf@noel.gv.at
OTS ORIGINAL TEXT PRESS RELEASE UNDER THE EXCLUSIVE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SENDER FOR CONTENT – WWW.OTS.AT | NLK