A Simple Guide to Completing The Energy Footprint Tool (EFT)
An important way to care for creation 🌍
This is an important step to care for creation in our communities. The process is quick and simple and there are lots of ways to find support.
The Church of England have a webpage with further details about the tool: Work out your church’s carbon footprint to help care for God’s creation | The Church of England
Once it’s done, it’s done for the year – and it can help provide your church with future decarbonisation grant funding (this means you will have funding for alternative energy methods that help bring balance to the natural environment).
You Only Need Four Things:
1. The Energy Footprint Tool (EFT) Form
You can either…
Please complete the form even if you are off the grid or use no fuel sources!
2. Access to Utility (Gas/Electricity/Oil Etc.) Information
What information do I need?
It depends on what energy you use. The Church of England has created a handy checker to help you find out which buildings you should get the information for which can be found at: Check if your building should be reported in the EFT
For the most common energy types (gas/electricity/oil), you will need the following:
| Type of Energy | Information you’ll need |
| Electricity | – Electricity Purchased – Cost of Electricity – Is it a Green Supplier? |
| Gas | – Gas Purchased – Unit of Gas – Cost of Gas – Is it a Green Supplier? |
| Oil | – Oil Purchased – Cost of Oil – |
| Electricity/Gas/Oil | – Age of Heating System – |
What buildings should I get information for?
We advise you to use this checker created by the Church of England: Check if your building should be reported in the EFT
Where can I find this information?
You’ll need to locate your best contact for information regarding electricity/gas/oil use for the whole of last year (2023). This contact could be your Incumbent, Church-Warden, Treasurer or one of your PCC members.
Nobody has this information.
If there’s nobody available or the information is limited, we recommend calling your energy provider to see if they can help you find the numbers you need. The person who pays your parish utility bills will know which company supplies your energy.
We use different energy methods!
If your fuel source is unusual, our friendly Diocesian team is on-hand to help you. Call the Parish Support Office (01522 504050) and they will support you in completing the EFT form.
3. If You Use Electricity, Check Your Fusebox Phasing
Find your fusebox and make a note of which phase you have. Sometimes, your electricity bill may tell you which type you have.
One-phase
Only one fuse visible.
Fusebox may say ‘Single-phase’, ‘Mono-phase’ or ‘1-phase’.
Three-Phase
Three fuses are visible.
Fusebox may say ‘Poly-phase’, ‘Tri-phase’ or ‘3-phase’.
4. Your Church Travel Costs
What information do I need?
These are the costs paid out by the PCC for travel for the whole of 2023. You’ll need:
- Total number of miles driven (including EV miles) and money claimed for car mileage.
- Total cost of train fares.
- Total cost of bus fares.
Where can I find this information?
This contact could be your Incumbent, Church-Warden, Treasurer or one of your PCC members. Look to the person who manages your financial records.
Fill In Your Form
Now all you need to do is input the above details into the EFT form with the information you now have at hand.
Walk-Through Video
If you are completing the physical form, you will need to send the completed version to:
EFT Parish Returns, Edward King House, Minster Yard, Lincoln, LN2 1PU