Energy Efficiency
ShopIPL
 |
GWIPL is pleased to offer congregations, organizations, and community groups in the Baltimore/ Washington area access to our online energy-efficient products store. The purpose of this project is twofold:
|
If you have any questions, please contact Allison @ 202-885-8684 or send an email.
|
SHOP TODAY |
Start shopping and save energy right now!
Discount Code: shopIPL
Go to the online store. |
By using CFL light bulbs and other energy-efficient products in congregations, offices and homes, you will help to reduce your community’s global warming emissions, cool the planet, and protect creation.
As your congregation enjoys these high-quality energy-efficient products, take time to educate your congregation about its impact to help protect creation and about other steps you can take to cool the planet. GWIPL has resources to help you.
ABOUT OUR ONLINE STORE
A few years ago, Michigan Interfaith Power & Light started an online store as a tool to help their congregations to green their buildings, members' homes, and offices through ordering high-quality light bulbs and other energy-efficient products at discounted prices. Through a grant from the EPA in 2007, ten state IPLs have worked together to improve the store and make it available nationally. As of July 2007, we have partnered with Energy Federation Incorporated (EFI) as the distributor and have launched a new website: shopIPL.org. EFI is a non-profit with over twenty years experience in helping organizations economically purchase quality conservation products and in assisting the public in using energy resources efficiently. Please provide feedback to Allison @ 202-885-8684 or send an email.
RETROFIT YOUR BUILDING
There are several products available to help retrofit your building and increase its energy efficiency including light bulbs, exit signs, programmable thermostats, and water conservation products. Most of these products will pay for themselves IN ONE YEAR. If you have questions or would like to have a walk-through assessment of your building to identify energy savings opportunities, please contact Allison @ 202-885-8684 or send an email.
FUNDRAISER SALE
Thank you for organizing a congregational sale of energy saving light bulbs and water conservation tools. Whether this is for your women's or men's group, choir, youth group, etc., this is a great opportunity to help your faith community save money and become better stewards of God’s creation. The sale can raise funds for your projects, help pay for energy efficient upgrades to your house of worship or for funds to distribute CFLs to low income families.
How does the fundraiser work? You’ll earn $1 for every item you sell (except for two specialty flood lights where the margins are too slim). And shipping is free! GWIPL will pay for all shipping costs.
What tools will I need to use? We have designed a bunch of forms and advertisements to make your job easy. Please email Allison at allison (at) gwipl.org to get the most up to date copies.
What do I need to do?
1. Determine who checks should be written to (the congregation or you personally) and the deadline for orders.
2. Customize the first three forms to include your congregation’s name, your contact information, and deadlines.
3. Advertise! Make announcements at congregational services and events. Put a blurb in your newsletter like the one below explaining why your members should purchase these bulbs.
4. Set up a table after services, religious school, or events and have members fill out the forms with the products they want to order AND/OR distribute the bulletin insert order forms during services.
5. Have your members submit a check with their order.
6. Tally all the orders and complete the Team Captain’s Order Form. Mail it, along with a check to GWIPL for the total wholesale amount, to GWIPL at the address on the form.
7. You should receive your order within one week and then you can distribute your orders.
8. Send us a picture of your distribution and let us know how it went!
What are some Best Practices you recommend?
• GWIPL has sample products. Please contact Allison at 202-885-8684 to arrange to borrow them.
• Hold your sale around an effective time of year, like Earth Month (April) or an appropriate religious holiday.
• Add these products to your alterative gift sales and Fair Trade gift fairs.
• Include light bulbs in your care packages to needy families.
Thank you for your efforts to organize this sale and care for God’s creation. We hope it is a great success. Know that your efforts are directly impacting creation and helping us equip more religious people to become good stewards of the earth. If you have any questions or feedback on how these forms can work better, please call me at 202-885-8684.
^ To Top of Page
