Last month, we gave you some tips to help your craft brewery save energy costs. This month we are back with more money-saving ideas you can implement to reduce your energy bill.
Improve Your HVAC System
Heating and cooling your facility are a considerable part of your energy cost, so it’s essential to make sure your HVAC system is in great shape. Is Your current system energy efficient? If it isn’t, consider having a newer, more energy-efficient model installed. It will pay off in the long run. Change your filters on a regular schedule and keep up on routine maintenance, as well.
Energy Efficient Lighting
Try to utilize natural lighting whenever possible. This means adding windows, windows, and more windows! You can save money with natural light and improve the overall feeling of well-being in the people who work in and patronize your brewery.
Installing energy-efficient light bulbs is a great way to save money. This could save your brewery up to 30 percent on your lighting costs. Not only do they cost less to run, but they also last longer, which means less time pulling out the ladder to change bulbs when they burn out. And it can be even worse if burned-out bulbs aren’t replaced immediately because it becomes a safety hazard.
Optimize Your Process
This is like an energy audit , except you’ll be looking at ways energy is wasted by gaps in your process rather than gaps in your structure. For example, are machines left running when they aren’t in use? Could you cut back on your water use by using condensate recovery?
The Brewers Association has published a manual called “Energy Usage, GHG Reduction, Efficiency, and Load Management.” It contains excellent information on best practices for your brewery that will save you money and save energy.