Well, “possibly” never belittles the claim as the monastery utilizes earth’s renewable resources in construction and sustenance as well. The 30,000 square foot, Holy Wisdom Monastery in Madison touts some really green credentials such as, geothermal heating and cooling systems, active solar energy generation and reduced water usage. Moreover, it has green roofs, rain gardens, rain barrels and prairie restoration facilities to ensure storm water runoff.
The custom-designed windows and photovoltaic panels provide 15 percent of the monastery’s energy. Making the most of the internet, the digital heating and cooling systems generate automatic emails to the occupants to make them open windows when temperature exceeds 74 degrees. So, natural ventilation cuts down on energy costs.
