With insulation as a key component, the Montana State Buildings Energy Conservation (SBEC) Program reduces operating costs in state facilities, including Montana universities and community colleges. Cost effective energy efficiency projects in state owned buildings are identified, investigated and funded. Annual energy savings are anticipated to be nearly $2 million and 430,000 MMBTU.
MIIP believes a similar program should be adopted by New England-region states, in which public funds are tight and simple, environmentally friendly ways of saving money need to b
instituted. MIIP knows that insulation is the one system of any building that starts paying for itself once it is implemented.
instituted. MIIP knows that insulation is the one system of any building that starts paying for itself once it is implemented.
In the Montana state program, the resulting energy savings are captured and used to repay the investment. Montana will expand this existing program and fund about 60 projects identified through energy audits and approved by the 2009 Montana Legislature. Data on energy use will be collected before and after the energy conservation building retrofits.
Generation of over 89,000 jobs:
Generation of over 89,000 jobs:
Mechanical insulation maintenance is an excellent example of “shovel-ready’ green job opportunities. It can put tens of thousands of people to work and retain existing jobs while contributing to the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing, reducing our country’s dependence on foreign energy sources, improving our environment and increasing profitability of private and public businesses and facilities. Equally important, the majority of insulation contractors who install and maintain mechanical insulation systems represent independent small businesses in every state. Mechanical insulation is a proven technology. It does not require research and development or engineering or design processes. Materials and skilled craft personnel are available now and ready to be deployed.
Just one worker for a single day can save:
Insulating 45 linear feet of 8-in. high-pressure steam line equates to about $13,600 per year in energy savings, equivalent to removing 13 cars per year from the highways. Assuming the facility exists for 20 more years, the total energy savings from that one workday would be $272,000. Insulating 70 linear feet of 3-in. low pressure steam line equates to over $4,000 per year in energy savings, reducing CO2 emissions as much as removing 3.7 cars from
the highways. Assuming the facility exists for 20 more years, total energy savings from that one workday would be $80 thousand.
Insulating 45 linear feet of 8-in. high-pressure steam line equates to about $13,600 per year in energy savings, equivalent to removing 13 cars per year from the highways. Assuming the facility exists for 20 more years, the total energy savings from that one workday would be $272,000. Insulating 70 linear feet of 3-in. low pressure steam line equates to over $4,000 per year in energy savings, reducing CO2 emissions as much as removing 3.7 cars from
the highways. Assuming the facility exists for 20 more years, total energy savings from that one workday would be $80 thousand.
Jack Lister is director of Mechanical Insulation Industry Professionals.