Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency launched the ENERGYSTAR National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings contest, pitting the country’s buildings against each other to see which could reduce the most global warming emissions and save the most energy. Minnesota’s own First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis took home the top honors in the House of Worship category.

The church, built in 1953, saves more than $16,000 a year thanks to energy efficiency improvements like weatherization and programmable thermostats. Clean Energy Resource Teams has more information on how they did it.

Photo: Foundation of First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis

Earlier this year, the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis took home top honors in the EPA's battle of the buildings.