by John Rees

As gas and utility prices rise, energy savings can make the difference between profit and loss. The IES energy program has a proven track record of sending dollars to the bottom line of North Carolina companies. For example:

While these are some of the more notable examples, in 100 surveys over the past 18 months, the recommended annual energy savings have averaged $26,770 at a cost of $33,420. That is a simple payback of just 1.25 years.

Savings for All

We have achieved savings in textiles, rubber, abrasives, glass and plastics manufacturing, as well as state office buildings, schools and universities.

The typical sequence begins with a preliminary energy diagnostic survey. This survey consists of a general walk-through of your facility and interviews with operations, maintenance, and management personnel about energy use and areas they have identified for potential savings. In this survey we will identify your major energy users and some specific actions you can take to reduce energy demand. Actions may be as simple as changes in lighting type or elimination of free discharge compressed air use.

As a result of the preliminary survey, we may recommend one or more targeted surveys in lighting, HVAC, boilers, air compressors, chillers/cooling towers, preventive maintenance, lighting, energy efficient motors, and advanced energy topics.

Workshops

While energy surveys will identify significant dollar savings at your facility, training of your employees in energy topics will ensure that measures are consistently applied. This training will enable them to identify energy savings in the future.

We offer a broad range of energy training opportunities starting with one day workshops in specific topics such as lighting, HVAC, boilers, air compressors, chillers/cooling towers, preventive maintenance, lighting, energy efficient motors, and advanced energy topics. Two three week diploma series offer in depth education in energy and facilities management topics. Our Energy Management (EM) Diploma Series focuses on energy topics while our Facilities Engineering Management (FEM) Diploma Series covers energy topics plus general facilities management topics.

Since its inception in 1988, the IES energy program has trained more than 11,885 people in 530 workshops and has provided more than 855 surveys with recommendations exceeding $388 million to industry, business and government in North Carolina. During 2005-2006, the energy group trained more than 947 professionals in 41 workshops and conducted 50 energy systems assessments.

John Rees is a professional engineer and extension specialist with the IES energy and facilities management program.