Energy does not have to be an uncontrollable cost of doing business for your spray equipment and industrial finishing systems. The good news is that there are multiple ways to achieve energy savings, even as the price of energy rises and is unlikely to abate as consumption demands grow from the adoption of automation, robotics, and electric vehicles.
Energy is often an overlooked opportunity for savings. You can manage your energy costs through advances in electrification for key equipment and components in your paint systems, and by working with your local utilities to identify energy opportunities throughout your facility. Spray Equipment & Service Center can work with you to determine energy-efficient products and processes, and help connect you with resources that can deliver energy saving results.
Addressing Energy, Transparency Will Help Future-Proof a Paint System
In his keynote address at Spray Equipment & Service Center’s Tech Days, Dean Laube of Franklin Energy, pointed out that prices for many sources of energy remain unstable.
“Energy costs for manufacturing and industrial facilities are likely to increase or become a larger portion of your expenses,” he said. “But companies that are proactive will be able to identify savings options and incorporate upgrades that will deliver operational improvements leading to a positive bottom-line impact.”
One key benefit of energy efficiency is that you can stand out from your competition, especially as OEMs and key suppliers seek transparency in their supply chains and for their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. For example, an OEM may seek suppliers that meet ISO 50001 standards for energy management. Many big companies are asking for similar requirements from their suppliers.
Premium Upgrades Often Pay for Themselves Through Energy Savings
In addition to external considerations, you can address energy efficiency through your equipment and processes. In paint booth operations, motors, pumps, and fans are the silent consumers of power.
Paint system components often come in standard and premium models. While premium models may be expensive, they provide considerable improvements in efficiency and performance. The premium model will often pay for itself relatively quickly with normal use. Examples include:
- PUMPS:
A Graco QUANTM pump can pay for itself in under a year by cutting energy usage and costs by up to 80%.
Graco’s E-Flo DC electric circulating pump runs 5 to 10 times more efficiently than pneumatic or air pumps. Graco calculated its E-Flo DC pump could save $1,225 per line vs. a pneumatic pump for an average mixing room with 10 circ lines.
- AIR FLOW:
Global Finishing Solutions’ variable frequency drive, the Economizer, is a control panel upgrade that makes automatic adjustments and can reduce airflow by 50% during energy-saving mode.
The GFS recirculating paint booths recirculate 80% of the air, which reduces energy use by a factor of five. This also reduces equipment needed for air handling and abatement, which lowers capital expense.
Utilities Want to Help You Achieve Energy Savings
The majority of utilities have energy efficiency programs to help customers in industrial and manufacturing facilities achieve energy savings. The success of these programs is often driven by contractors who provide energy-efficient products and services. In other words, utilities and their partners often have incentives to help you reduce energy consumption at your facilities. They would love the opportunity to work with you to find these solutions. Utilities offer savings and incentives through:
PRESCRIPTIVE REBATES: These are rebates for buying qualifying equipment (such as light bulbs) or implementing energy-saving measures that meet a defined set of criteria.
CUSTOM REBATES: These are when an entity can design a proven, energy-saving project. This involves working with a utility on assessments, equipment eligibility, and verification. Some custom rebates can significantly reduce the payback period associated with the new equipment or project.
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) makes energy-efficient plumbing and electrical updates eligible for a tax credit of up to 30% of the total cost, up to $3,200 per year on your federal tax return. The credit amount is up to 30% on investments in manufacturing facilities, and is available for certain expansions and re-equipping of existing facilities. Similar programs are available for lithium-related power projects, per the guidelines established by the International Lithium Association (ILiA).
Look for Energy Efficiency Throughout Your Facility
Laube says to think about energy from a waste perspective. Your utility is interested in getting customers to use power wisely. Less usage at peak-demand times while increasing usage during low-demand times means a more stable energy supply.
It is important to remember that the utility sets the cost of your energy, while you control the consumption. The nimble, informed facility that can shift some of its energy load to non-peak hours will be in a position to save on energy costs. Knowing when, and at what rate energy is consumed, allows customers to better manage and reduce their electricity costs.
This is why it’s important to look at each of the seven major areas of energy use within an industrial facility:
Lighting
HVAC and refrigeration
Process heating or cooling
Motors, fans, and pumps
Compressed air
Water heating
Building or equipment shell (infiltration, Insulation, seal up, and door closures)
Work With Spray Equipment & Service Center to Save Energy Costs
There are many ways to address energy efficiency in your paint systems and facility wide, from premium equipment to custom facility projects. Experts at Spray Equipment & Service Center can work with you to achieve your energy goals and help you find savings throughout your facility. We also provide qualified technical support and added value through:
ADVICE: Our experience, expertise, and approach work for you at every stage of your business.
SUPPLY: We have the right equipment and parts in stock when you need them.
SERVICE: We are just a phone call away (866-953-0526).