Tips for Manufacturing Efficiency | Teems Electric
Industrial and manufacturing operations in the United States are a huge consumer of energy, with 32% of total energy consumption credited to them.
That demand can mean huge utility bills for individual facilities that must run not just the systems that pull power in other commercial buildings, such as lighting and HVAC, but also heavy equipment. For many businesses, that can make energy costs one of their largest budget line items.
If you’re in charge of managing one of those facilities and looking for some ways to cut those costs, we have some tips that can help you do that. And a few of them don’t even require help from Teems.
Energy Savings in Industry
Do an audit: Not the scary kind, and this is one we can help with right at the top. In order to better manage your energy use, you need to know where you’re using it and how much every system or piece of equipment needs. This kind of energy use profile can help you find every opportunity for efficiency and rank them all by cost and value.
Run equipment efficiently: Keeping all your machinery going all day, even when it isn’t in use, is a huge drain and one that is entirely avoidable. In the best case, you’ll be able to buy and use equipment that automatically shuts off or goes into an idle state after a prescribed period of inactivity. That makes the savings automatic and doesn’t cut down on your staff’s efficiency. Barring that, train workers to shut off equipment when a workstation isn’t in use, such as during meal breaks or when they’re working on another piece of machinery.
Run efficient equipment: Most operators can’t just replace every piece of equipment at once, even if there’s opportunity for cost savings that could pay for the cost in a short time. Still, replacing worn-out equipment with more-efficient pieces can make a big difference.
Create efficient workflows: This is good for business all around, since making the best use of your employee’s time can mean increasing output. Bottlenecks in your facility can mean slowdowns that also cost you energy as machinery runs when it can’t be used.
Optimize HVAC: Ensure your HVAC system is properly designed for your space and meets the demands you put on it. Once it’s in, ensure you’re getting regular checkups and maintenance from professionals in managing those systems. We happen to know some.
The experts at Teems Electric have decades of experience helping commercial and residential customers identify and capitalize on opportunities to improve efficiency. If you need some help getting your facility in shape, give us a call and let us get to work with you.