Bicron Cuts Electrical Energy Usage By 25%
Starting in Fall 2006, Bicron began a coordinated program to reduce electrical energy costs. To increase focus, a mechanical engineer was assigned the title of "Energy Guru" and given responsibility for the energy savings program costs and results. Lighting was the obvious prime target. Working with Connecticut Light & Power and others, Bicron replaced fluorescent ballasts and bulbs in three manufacturing buildings as well as replacing a compressor and reducing peak loads during high energy use periods. The results were impressive.
KWH usage has been closely monitored. A comparison of Q3‘06, when the program was first initiated, and Q3’07 KWH usage showed a drop of greater than 25%. Quite a large reduction in a significant manufacturing cost!
Bicron employees got in on the cause when they were given a CFL bulb along with a copy of the Bicron energy savings program report. An employee Energy Fair was subsequently sponsored where everyone was given the chance to purchase additional CFL bulbs at highly discounted prices.
Bicron continues to look at additional energy savings opportunities and is watching carefully to determine when they might become cost effective.