Beyond being a place of worship, a church offers the faithful a place to commune. This is why it’s important to think of your church as more than just a building. This significant role that your church has in your congregants’ lives should be reason enough for you to ensure that it is consistently cared for and well maintained. For tips on how to make your church a haven for its patrons, keep reading.
Plan routine maintenance on your AC unit to keep your energy costs low.
In most communities, churches tend to be one of the oldest pieces of architecture in the area. Because of this, the HVAC system, plumbing, and electrical wiring may be outdated. Older units consume a lot of electricity and could be the reason for your high monthly energy bills. Besides this, older systems also require frequent repairs, which means that you’re probably also spending more than you need to on your AC maintenance. To avoid these extra costs, have a certified HVAC technician complete an energy audit to identify the areas where you can make your church more energy efficient.
The HVAC experts at Stephen K. Denny suggest these four ways to tell if your AC is inefficient: dirty air filters, an HVAC system that’s over 10 years old, an AC system that’s always on, and the presence of condensation or leaks around your air conditioner. Most central air conditioners have an estimated lifespan of 15 years. Therefore, if your building’s cooling unit has been in use for more than this, have a technician upgrade you to a newer, energy-star air conditioning unit.
Additionally, if you notice condensation around your windows and air filters, this could be a sign of an ineffective air conditioner. Besides adding an extra cost to your energy bill, excess humidity can also cause irreparable damage to valuable church items like bible covers, hymn books, and church vestments.
Take a preventive approach toward building maintenance.
One of the biggest challenges that most sextons face is waiting to see actual roof damage before calling a professional roofer to inspect their building’s roof. However, having a proactive approach to roof maintenance can help you avoid unexpected roof repairs as roof replacement and roof repair are some of the services offered by roofing contractors.
As you schedule your regular maintenance, it can be difficult to distinguish between what warrants a minor repair and what falls under a new roof replacement. If you notice any cracks, missing shingles, roof leaks, water damage, and other structural issues, it may be time for you to consider roof replacement. A roofing project is not something you should take lightly or attempt to DIY because the margin of error when it comes to a renovation project of this magnitude is almost zero.
Instead, look for a roofer that is certified by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), is insured and licensed to practice, and has years of experience in the roofing industry. By using these criteria to hire your next roofing contractor, you can be sure to expect quality work, great prices, and great customer service. If you happen to be looking for a roofing company in Melbourne, the team at Pro’s Choice Roofing comes highly recommended.
Create a church cleaning and landscaping schedule.
The size of your church will determine its cleaning needs. What this means is that if you have a huge building, for instance, start assigning specific cleaning days for your pews, light fixtures, and linen. Having a church cleaning schedule will also help you keep track of what areas of the church need professional cleaning services. If you have large windows, for instance, you may need a professional window cleaning company to power wash your windows every couple of weeks. A cleaning schedule can also help you keep track of when you need to book these cleaners.
If your church is gifted with a beautiful outdoor landscape, a maintenance schedule can help you maintain your flower beds, grass, and bushes. Besides improving your building’s curb appeal, a regular landscaping schedule will also help you figure out what areas could use some extra hands on deck. If you’re struggling to get help with manicuring your lawn or tending to your flowers, for instance, put out a call for volunteers through your church bulletin. Your church youth group could help with mowing the lawn on weekends, for instance, and your men’s ministry could chip in with small DIY repairs like painting chipped fence paint.
Don’t neglect church miscellanea.
Lastly, don’t forget to regularly inspect your church furniture, audiovisual equipment, and musical instruments for any signs of cracks and other wear and tear. Ensure your wooden pulpit, clergy chairs, pews, and church tables are well maintained and checked for rot. This is an important part of maintenance because you don’t want any of your parishioners sustaining any cuts from splinters.
