On this page, we describe the steps we as a church have taken to be more responsible with the resources and environment that God has given us.
Photoelectric Cells:
Oakbrook has installed photoelectric cells (light sensors) on its exterior lighting so that county code-required lights are only illuminated during dark hours.
Grass:
Oakbrook Church has planted grass on all bare surfaces caused by the construction of our building. This reduces erosion which helps to protect our local waterways and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.
Lights Off:
We do our best to maintain the good practice of turning out all lights when not needed and have signage placed near light switches as a reminder.
CFL:
Wherever possible, Oakbrook Church has installed compact fluorescent bulbs which require far less energy and have far greater life expectancy than traditional incandescents or halogen bulbs.
Oakbrook is in the process of replacing all interior T-12 fluorescent bulbs and ballasts throughout the older sections of the building with lower power, higher illumination T-8 fluorescent bulbs and associated ballasts.
Thermostat:
Oakbrook has programmable thermostats with “occupied” and “unoccupied” settings so that we can maximize energy savings when the facility is not in use.
Table:
Bill Becker of Oakbrook Church converted two slabs of hardwood oak into end tables. The oak slabs came from a tree that was brought down as part of the building construction.
Storm water treatment:
Oakbrook church installed two Filterra Storm Water Treatment Systems to filter silt and other substances (e.g. oil, gas, tar etc.) from the runoff collected from our impervious paved surfaces. This environmentally friendly technology also serves as a home for two beautiful crepe myrtles that thrive on this sediment. These Filterra boxes enable Oakbrook Church to comply with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed preservation laws.
Timer:
Oakbrook Church has installed programmable timers for all exterior parking lights. This limits illumination time to the minimum required.
Recycling:
Oakbrook initiated paper, cardboard, plastic, glass, and aluminum recycling efforts in 2006.
Wildlife And Trees:
Oakbrook Church planted double the number of trees necessary to satisfy Fairfax County code for parking lot specifications. The additional trees go a long way towards replacing the trees that were eliminated during building construction.
Photos by Loretta Junkin
