Project Spotlight: First Presbyterian Church - A Transformative Lighting & Electrical Upgrade in Fort Collins, CO
Going Green Contracting is honored to have partnered with the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins, CO, on an extensive, multi-phase lighting and electrical modernization project. Located at 531 S College Ave, this initiative went beyond simple replacements, aiming to create a more energy-efficient, visually captivating, and functionally superior environment for the church’s diverse worship services, community programs, and theatrical productions.
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This comprehensive project showcases our expertise in specialized lighting installations, our experience in navigating complex electrical retrofits within sensitive environments, and our trustworthiness in delivering significant financial savings and community contributions. From achieving substantial energy rebates to installing custom RGB theatre lighting, our work has profoundly impacted the church’s operational efficiency and its ability to serve its congregation and the wider Fort Collins community.
Client Overview: First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins
First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins serves as a vital spiritual and community hub in Northern Colorado. Beyond its regular worship services, the church hosts numerous events, educational programs, and community outreach initiatives, requiring versatile and reliable facilities. As a forward-thinking institution, the church recognized the opportunity to modernize its infrastructure, reduce its environmental footprint, and enhance the experience for its congregants and visitors.
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Seeking an electrical contractor that could deliver both technical excellence and a deep understanding of their unique needs, First Presbyterian Church partnered with Going Green Contracting. Their vision was to not only improve energy efficiency but also to create more dynamic and inspiring spaces, particularly within their sanctuary and program areas, aligning with their mission to serve with excellence.
The Challenge: Modernizing Illumination & Enhancing Experience
The First Presbyterian Church faced several distinct challenges with its existing lighting and electrical systems. Outdated, inefficient lighting throughout the sprawling facility contributed to high energy bills and required frequent maintenance, detracting from operational efficiency. Critically, the sanctuary and performance areas lacked the modern, flexible lighting controls necessary to support contemporary worship styles, theatrical productions, and diverse community programs, limiting their creative potential.
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Furthermore, the church sought solutions that would not only improve interior lighting but also enhance the building’s exterior appeal and security. Implementing these upgrades within an active church environment required meticulous planning to ensure minimal disruption to daily operations, services, and events. The project demanded a contractor with the expertise to deliver both significant energy savings and sophisticated, customizable lighting systems that respected the sacred nature of the space.
Our Lighting & Electrical Upgrade Solution for First Presbyterian Church
Going Green Contracting implemented a comprehensive, multi-phase lighting and electrical modernization program for First Presbyterian Church, showcasing our authoritativeness in complex retrofits, specialized lighting design, and energy rebate management.
Extensive Interior LED Retrofits (Phases 1, 3, & 4)
Our project began with a sweeping upgrade of interior lighting to high-efficiency LED technology. In Phase 1, we meticulously removed old fixtures and retrofitted 145 troffer lights, 200 A19 bulbs, and 243 4-foot linear strips. Building on this, Phase 3 saw the retrofit of 24 8-inch can lights. Finally, in Phase 4, we retrofitted an additional 60 can lights, 6 4-foot linear strips, 10 4-inch downlights, and 30 more can lights. These widespread upgrades dramatically reduced energy consumption while providing superior, consistent illumination throughout offices, classrooms, and common areas.
High-Impact Exterior Landscape & Architectural Lighting (Phase 2 & 3)
To enhance the church’s curb appeal and security, we executed targeted exterior lighting improvements. In Phase 2, our team ran new raceway, supports, fittings, back boxes, cabling, and terminations for five new building landscape uplights positioned along the front of the building. These knuckle-mount lights were installed into weather-resistant bell boxes, creating a dramatic and welcoming facade. Additionally, we assembled and installed five solar-powered bollard lights, providing sustainable pathway illumination. Phase 3 further enhanced the exterior with the installation of 15 area lights and the retrofit of 13 wallpacks, significantly improving safety and visibility around the entire property.
Advanced Sanctuary & Theatre Lighting with Custom Controls (Phase 4)
A highlight of the project was the sophisticated upgrade to the church’s sanctuary and theatre lighting systems. We removed the old low-voltage breaker cabinet and installed a new, advanced one, then meticulously pulled new low-voltage wire for all the ceiling lights in the sanctuary. This crucial wiring enables the light technicians to fine-tune and customize their lighting controls for various services and events. Furthermore, we removed outdated theatre lights and installed new, high-quality RGB theatre lighting, along with pulling additional low-voltage wire through the ceiling and down walls. This robust setup empowers the church’s technical staff to create dynamic, custom light shows for their programs, dramatically enhancing visual presentations.
Financial Partnership & Community Contribution
Beyond the physical installations, Going Green Contracting worked diligently to secure substantial financial benefits for the church. Through our efforts, we successfully achieved $42,618 in rebate savings from the initial phases and an additional $9,000 in rebates from later phases, totaling over $51,000 in direct savings. Demonstrating our deep commitment to community support, Going Green Contracting also made a direct $5,000 donation to First Presbyterian Church, which could be utilized for this project or any other church initiatives.
Tangible Results & Lasting Impact for First Presbyterian Church
Our comprehensive electrical and lighting project at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins delivered a multitude of tangible benefits, reflecting our dedication to long-term value and client satisfaction.
Substantial Energy Savings & Rebate Maximization
The widespread adoption of energy-efficient LED technology across interior, exterior, and specialty lighting systems has resulted in significant and ongoing energy cost reductions for the church. Crucially, our proactive management of the rebate application process secured over $51,000 in direct rebate savings, providing a substantial financial boost that allowed the church to invest further in its facilities and programs, minimizing the net cost of the extensive upgrades.
Enhanced Worship Environment & Program Capabilities
The modernized sanctuary lighting, coupled with the advanced RGB theatre lighting and its custom control capabilities, has profoundly enhanced the worship environment. Light technicians can now create custom scenes and dynamic shows, enriching services, concerts, and theatrical productions. This technological upgrade provides a more immersive and inspiring atmosphere for congregants and performers alike, elevating the overall spiritual and community experience.
Improved Exterior Aesthetics & Security
The new landscape uplights, solar bollards, area lights, and wallpacks have dramatically improved the church’s exterior aesthetics, making the building more welcoming and prominent, especially after dusk. Beyond beauty, the enhanced exterior illumination also significantly boosts security around the premises, deterring unwanted activity and ensuring safer pathways for visitors attending evening events or services.
Modernized Infrastructure & Reduced Maintenance
The project replaced numerous old, high-maintenance fixtures with durable, long-life LED alternatives, and upgraded critical electrical components like the low-voltage breaker cabinet. This modernization significantly reduces the ongoing maintenance burden and associated costs for the church, freeing up resources that can be directed towards other vital ministries and operational needs. The new infrastructure is also built for reliability and future adaptability.
A Lasting Partnership & Community Investment
Beyond the technical deliverables, this project solidified a strong partnership between Going Green Contracting and First Presbyterian Church. Our transparent communication, efficient execution, and commitment to delivering exceptional results, including the direct $5,000 donation, underscore our role as a community-focused electrical contractor. We are proud to have contributed to the church’s mission and its continued positive impact on the Fort Collins community.
Partner with Going Green Contracting for Your Next Project
The successful and impactful project at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Collins, CO, exemplifies Going Green Contracting’s ability to deliver comprehensive, high-impact electrical and lighting solutions for religious institutions and commercial properties. Our expertise, experience, and dedication to client satisfaction ensure superior results.
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Ready to enhance the efficiency, aesthetics, and functionality of your property? Contact Going Green Contracting today for a consultation and discover how we can bring unparalleled value and expertise to your next project.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Church & Commercial Lighting Projects
Considering a lighting or electrical upgrade for your religious facility or commercial property? Here are answers to common questions about our services:
How can modern lighting enhance a church or worship space?
Modern LED and RGB lighting systems can create flexible and inspiring atmospheres, improve visibility for congregants, highlight architectural features, and provide dynamic effects for services, concerts, and events, all while significantly reducing energy costs.
Do you assist with securing energy rebates for projects?
Yes, absolutely. Going Green Contracting has extensive experience in navigating energy rebate programs from local utilities. We actively work to identify eligible incentives and manage the application process to maximize your savings, as demonstrated by the significant rebates secured for First Presbyterian Church.
What are the benefits of low-voltage lighting controls?
Low-voltage lighting controls offer precise and flexible control over lighting levels and colors, often integrating with smart systems for remote management. They are crucial for creating custom scenes and dynamic effects, especially in performance spaces like sanctuaries or theatres.
Can you handle both interior and exterior lighting needs for a large property?
Yes, our expertise spans comprehensive interior and exterior lighting solutions. From energy-efficient indoor retrofits to robust outdoor landscape and security lighting, we provide integrated solutions tailored to your property’s specific requirements.
How do you manage projects in active, occupied facilities like churches?
Our experience with sensitive environments means we prioritize meticulous planning, clear communication, and efficient scheduling to minimize disruption to daily operations, services, and events. We work closely with facility management to ensure a smooth and respectful installation process.