Barnard Manufacturing of St. Johns was named an “Energy Saver for 2008” by the U. S. Department of Energy early in September. But Jim Barnard, chief financial officer, doesn’t seem that impressed.
“This is stuff we should have been doing all along” he says. "It’s just common sense."
But he’s pleased with the savings that the company’s efforts are bringing: $17,000 per year.
Barnard is a production machine shop, producing heavy construction equipment, hydraulics, and parts for the railroad, mining and forestry industries. Caterpillar is a major client.
The efforts of the 43-year-old company go back to a 2005 University of Michigan Industrial Assessment Center evaluation, a free service offered by the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Reviewers created a list of recommended actions, most of which Barnard implemented.
Staff changed out their 12-ballast lighting fixtures in exchange for more energy efficient electronic ballast fixtures. They fixed leaks in their air compressors and air lines, saving $3,000 a year alone. And they began turning off lights in non-productive areas.
“It’s mostly a case of just being cognizant of what’s going on,” he says.
Putting energy savings in cost/benefit terms helps people get the idea, too. When people can see that in a few years they will recover their upfront costs, they are more enthusiastic about implementing energy saving measures, Barnard says.
Source: Jim Barnard, Barnard Manufacturing
Gretchen Cochran, Innovation & Jobs editor, may be reached here.
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