Lighting

• Keep light fixtures clean and dust-free to maintain light output. Dirty fixtures in some manufacturing facilities can reduce light output by as much as 30 percent.
• Replace incandescent bulbs with ENERGY STAR® compact fluorescent lights.
• Remove lamps and ballasts in over-lit areas when appropriate.
• Learn more about Lighting.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning

• Tune up HVAC systems, making sure they are operating as designed.
• Train maintenance personnel on proper routine maintenance.
• Clean and maintain filters, condensers and evaporator coils.
• Repair ducting.
• Clean and maintain accuracy of thermostats and controls.
• Learn more about Heating & Cooling.

Pumps, motors and drives

• Turn off motors when not in use.
• Take a systems approach when assessing performance, rather than focusing on a piece of equipment.
• Inventory all motors, including motor load and nameplate information, to establish a formal motor management program. (Motor Decisions Matter offers a free motor planning kit.)
• Avoid overheating by exposure to dirt, heat, over or under voltages, voltage imbalances and harmonics.
• Establish a pumping system maintenance program that includes preventive and predictive maintenance.
• Inspect mechanical seals and packing for excessive leakage.
• Determine the condition of the pump bearings, using vibration or oil analyses.
• Check the insulation of motor windings.

Compressed air

• Avoid using compressed air for open blowing, agitating, stirring, mixing or transporting material, when possible.
• Start a planned maintenance program.
• Repair leaks.
• Shut down air flows to unused equipment.
• Reduce compressor operating pressure and pressure regulator settings.

Blowers and fans

• Clean components, keeping them free of dust, which adds resistance.
• Complete a fan assessment to measure actual electricity used.
• Remove obstructions and close lines not used.
• Maintain discharge damper controls.
• Adjust fan speeds.

Employee involvement

• Conduct an employee awareness campaign on reducing energy.
• Educate employees on how to cut energy use, such as sequencing start-ups when possible.
• Make energy use a measurable business performance indicator.
• Involve maintenance personnel in developing an ongoing maintenance plan for major systems.
• Provide systems training to maintenance people.
• Train operators to run motors and electric loads during off-peak times when possible.

How PGE can help

• Check out the PGE class schedule to take advantage of a variety of courses to enhance business practices and get expert advice on how to save energy and money.
• Contact the PGE Business Services team to arrange for a free PGE energy walkthrough. You’ll receive a written report identifying specific savings opportunities for your facility. We also can provide a third-party technical review of improvements you are considering.
• Larger operations can track energy use and bills to get a clear picture of where energy dollars are going and where to save. For a fee, PGE’s Energy Information Services offers monthly, daily and custom reporting that helps pinpoint problems and identify key opportunities for improving energy efficiency.
• For outdoor lighting, use photosensors or timers and switch to high-pressure sodium, pulse-start metal halide or induction (QL) lamps (PGE Outdoor Lighting Services offers many options).

Learn more
Find more energy-saving ideas for manufacturing in these sections:

• Smart Investments
• Real-Life Savings