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 and 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 can add 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.
• 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 appropriate.

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-efficiency consultation. This process can often be quickly accomplished over the phone. We can also provide a third-party technical review of improvements you are considering, and through May 31 when you sign up for a consultation, you’ll also be entered for a chance to win one of five $3,000 efficiency upgrades.

Use PGE’s energy monitoring services to track your energy use and bills for a clear picture of where your dollars are going and where you can save. This includes monthly, daily and customer reporting options that help you 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 lighting services offers many options.