by Ryan Thompson, Murphy Company
As more corporations respond to an anemic world economy by putting capital improvement programs on a starvation diet, the age-old question asked in every cyclical downturn surfaces anew – “Is cutting capital improvements the right decision?”
In some industries, the answer is “yes,” but for many, it is not. There is a strong case to be made that 2009 is an optimal year for corporations to invest in energy-saving improvements.
The reasons? One is the certainty that the investment will cut a major operating expense – the cost of energy – immediately and long-term. And, cutting operating cost is one sure way to offset slowing sales. Second, the pay-back period for energy-saving initiatives is typically very short. In fact, many are cash-flow positive in the first month. Third, today’s business landscape is flush with federal-, state-, municipal- and utility-sponsored incentive programs that make it even better for your bottom line to invest in energy-saving improvements now.
Energy Use Is an Increasingly Significant Subject
Historically, utility costs (natural gas, water, and electric) have been viewed simply as a “cost” of doing business. Little significance was attached to them. That’s no longer the case. In today’s era of lean manufacturing, the drive to be competitive makes it imperative to find savings wherever possible. In the same vein, energy projects are now seen as a worthy pursuit of companies trying to attain ” practice” status. Finally, many customers (Wal-Mart among them) are requiring vendors to demonstrate their commitment to being responsible global citizens by becoming more “green.”
No Hiding From Higher Prices
While every industry suffered from the skyrocketing price of oil in 2008, the publishing and binding industries have been further affected by increasing internet use and diminished readerships, which have resulted in lagging sales. Initiating an energy project within your manufacturing facility has many significant returns on your investment. The ability to cut annual utility- and maintenance-related expenses by 10 to 30 percent also provides a solid foundation for future pricing flexibility and profit margin defense. The true beauty of investing in an energy-saving project is that once it is complete, the return-on-investment compounds automatically year after year.
Best Practices
Energy-saving opportunities are found in every faction of a production facility.
Lighting
Upgrading lighting systems is a popular energy investment right now. While the concept is admirable, there is more to it than simply installing new fixtures or bulbs. Does the lighting design supply enough foot candles to maintain quality and safety? Does the design meet the criteria required for incentive programs? How is the new system to be controlled – with motion sensors? bi-level switching? Will the new set-up negatively impact heating and cooling loads?
Compressor
Is your compressed air system properly maintained? Are there leaks? Has your compressor exceeded its life expectancy? Does your system have isolation valves to shut off zones when not in use? Would adding a staging compressor actually be a money-saving solution?
Motors
Are your motors designed to properly control power factor and avoid costly correction charges from your utility provider? Are you aware of your VFDs, VSDs, or capacitors?
HVAC
Since many publishers and binders operate HVAC equipment year-round to control humidity in production areas, big savings could result when the system is properly commissioned. Are you controlling humidity most efficiently? Are you over- or under-cooling? (Not only is over- and under-cooling costly, it can be detrimental to product quality.)
Questions to Ask an Energy Consultant
While some companies offer energy audits and energy upgrade services, their experience, capabilities, and scope of service vary greatly. Before you choose an energy consultant, find out:
1. Are they charging for a stand alone audit? Even though that sounds like a logical first step, audits can be costly and not always focused on opportunities that are feasible or make financial sense to the owner. Select a partner who will help you think through your financial and operational goals prior to purchasing an audit.
2. Do they have the expertise to analyze all systems within a facility, including mechanical, electrical, process, controls, and building envelope? A consultant that is only focused on one system may miss some of the best opportunities in your facility. It would be unfortunate to undertake a lighting project only to find out afterward that a controls project could have cost less money and resulted in greater savings.
3. Can they help to implement the savings strategies identified? Your partner should either be able to self-perform the project or be capable of serving as your construction manager. In the case of the former, his ability to do the work should be supported by an experienced and diverse group of in-house engineers and construction specialists. If you choose to use your partner as construction manager, he should provide you with single-source accountability as he specifies and procures bids from qualified service providers, selects the project team, and manages the project to a successful completion. These projects should unfold with minimal disruption to operations.
4. Is the consultant experienced in your industry? An expert who knows your specific industry can help reduce the time and cost of the audit by quickly identifying the most promising opportunities based on past experience. Make sure your partner is cognizant of the special requirements for your process and facility. Energy savings should never compromise safety or quality of the product.
5. Is your advisor affiliated with a specific manufacturer or product line? Will the equipment recommendations be unbiased? More and more companies are positioning themselves as “energy consultants” as a way of selling their product. An independent energy consultant will evaluate multiple products to determine the most cost- and energy-effective solution.
6. Is the consultant knowledgeable of and able to qualify your project for all applicable federal-, state-, and utility-sponsored incentive programs? These programs can be very complex and cumbersome, with stringent requirements. Your partner should have in-depth knowledge of the specific standards, calculations, and paperwork required for each of the various existing energy-efficiency incentive programs. A misinterpretation of the program could result in loss of incentives.
With “green” and “energy” the buzz words of the day, many consultants who claim to have specialized, comprehensive expertise, in reality, do not. Do your homework to ensure your trusted advisor brings value to your unique energy project.
Incentives Can Cover Costs of an Energy Improvement Program
As noted, federal-, state-, municipal-, and utility-sponsored incentive programs are abundant and can offset a portion of the cost of an energy improvement project. At the federal level, the rapid depreciation schedule in force in 2008 is expected to be renewed in 2009. Additionally, many projects qualify for a federal tax deduction of up to $1.80/SF for boosting the energy efficiency of an existing commercial facility or building a highly efficient new one. Many states and utilities offer separate incentive plans, ranging from low-interest loans to cash rebates that reward companies that invest in energy-wise equipment.
Founded in 1907, Murphy Company is an integrated mechanical contracting firm with an in-house staff of more than 40 engineers that serves a national clientele from offices in St. Louis, Mo., Southern Illinois, and Denver, Colo. Its Energy Solutions Division, staffed by Certified Energy Managers (CEM) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Existing Building (LEED EB)-certified energy engineers, delivers turnkey solutions from design and engineering through installation and maintenance. As an Energy Star partner, Murphy Energy Solutions can help binding and publishing companies optimize energy savings and significantly reduce maintenance-related expenses. To find out more, contact Ryan Thompson at rthompson@murphy-stl.com or (314) 692-1555.
