Energy-Saving Tips for Factories and Manufacturing Facilities
Energy efficiency in manufacturing has economic and operational benefits for your company, while having a positive impact on your brand through contributing to environmental sustainability.
Factors that affect energy consumption in manufacturing facilities
Before looking at energy-saving tips for manufacturers, it helps to account for the various factors in your operation that affect how much energy a manufacturing facility uses. Consider the following:
- Types of goods being manufactured. The products you make and the processes you use will have a major impact on your energy usage.
- Types of technologies being used. The type of equipment you use affects your power consumption.
- Age and energy efficiency of equipment. Newer equipment is generally designed to be more energy efficient. Older equipment may not run as smoothly, consuming more power.
- Size and scale of your operations. The bigger your factory, the more energy it will take to operate equipment and light and heat the space.ighting equipment and needs.
- Your operating hours. If you are running 24/7, you will use more energy than if you are open from 9 to 5.
Ways to reduce energy costs in your manufacturing facility
The following energy-saving tips for manufacturers don’t require a large capital investment or advanced technology. Simple things can make a big difference in energy efficiency in manufacturing.
- Find opportunities for improvement with an energy audit. A small business energy audit will show you where you use the most energy and where you can potentially save.
- Ensure equipment is turned off when not in use. Leaving equipment idling burns energy without producing value. You may have equipment that you should unplug to avoid consuming energy with it in standby mode.
- Use energy-draining equipment during off-peak hours. Running equipment during low-demand parts of the day can even out your company’s energy consumption and you may be able to take advantage of off-peak load pricing.
- Invest in employee training. Educate employees on the most efficient use of equipment and on the importance of good maintenance.
- Compare electricity rates from different providers. If you operate your business in a competitive energy market, you can switch energy providers and also have a choice of energy plans that are designed for small businesses.
- Switch to energy-efficient lighting. Replace incandescent bulbs with bright, but low-power LED lights for the most energy-efficient commercial lighting.
- Use smart controls. Energy management systems and smart controls can automate your building to save energy.
- Invest in cogeneration and heat recovery. If your operations produce waste heat, you may benefit from a small scale cogeneration unit that turns that heat into electricity.
The benefits of energy efficiency for factories
Use these energy saving tips to improve energy efficiency in manufacturing. You will cut your costs, protect your business from fluctuating energy prices, and improve your competitive edge. At the same time, you’ll enhance your brand and contribute to a cleaner environment.
