Efficiency effort inspires one company to do more

Stacy, MN – Metal fabrication company Wyoming Machine of Stacy is finding that one successful energy improvement is leading to another, and another and another.  Last summer, Energy Smart offered this new Minnesota Chamber of Commerce member an on-site energy consultation, and in the process identified several energy saving opportunities.  Building maintenance manager Tom LeTourneau has been methodically evaluating and implementing the recommendations. “We’ve already upgraded our lights, and we’re told that we’ll save more than $7,500 a year in energy costs,” says LeTourneau. “We also got a rebate check from Xcel Energy for $14,306 – that really got my bosses’ attention.”

Since the lighting upgrade, LeTourneau has facilitated installation of Xcel Energy’s free Saver’s Switch which will save the business money on air conditioning costs all summer. Wyoming Machine has also installed ten sensor controls on lighting and restroom fans (receiving a $250 Xcel Energy rebate) to save energy when the rooms are not in use, and will soon install a white roof to further reduce cooling costs during the summer. In addition, the company uses a compressed air system which can drastically increase energy costs if the system isn’t running properly or has leaks. Energy Smart determined that the company’s system had never been tested for leaks, and recommended that a compressed air study be conducted. LeTourneau says the company is now aware that air leakage could be wasting energy, and is looking into having this study done in the near future.

Energy Smart finds that many organizations benefit from an assessment of the whole energy picture for their facilities, and that step by step, energy efficiency upgrades really add up.

Would you like to identify energy saving opportunities at your business? Contact Sam Friesen at sfriesen@mnchamber.com or (651)292-4652.

Catch the LED lighting wave – rebates available!

LED lights can reduce lighting energy cost by as much as 75 percent. Recent technological advances have made LED lighting more affordable than ever. Improved functionality, quality, and life expectancy of these lights also make them an attractive option for reducing lighting energy costs.

Other benefits of LED lighting include:

• Long life
• Compact size
• Instant on
• Dimmable
• Cold temperature operation
• No infrared or ultraviolet emissions

Many utilities offer rebates for LED lighting. Xcel Energy for instance offers a rebate of between $20 and $35 per LED bulb. LED bulbs must be ENERGY STAR rated in order to qualify for utility rebates.

If you’d like to explore an LED lighting upgrade for your business, please contact Sam Friesen at sfriesen@mnchamber.com or (651)292-4652.

The Pyramid of Conservation

So many energy savings opportunities–where to start? Minnesota Power can help. They have developed what they call the Pyramid of Conservation to help prioritize projects and develop an action plan that is right for your organization. Though designed for residential customers, it can easily be applied for commercial and industrial utility customers. Start at the base of the pyramid by understanding how you use energy and what your resources for taking action may be. Progress up the pyramid by doing the easy low-cost projects first and make your way to the tip of the pyramid by completing a renewable energy project. And viola–you’re on top of your energy choices!