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Machines, Equipment and Motors

12 basic rules for reducing process energy consumption
No matter what the specifics of your use of process energy, the following basic rules may be the key to significant energy reductions:

1. Turn it off whenever possible. However, follow manufacturer's operating instructions.
   
2. Don't forget the "hidden" machines and equipment; the almost silent computer, the photocopier in the little room down the hall, the elevator motor at the top of the shaft.
   
3. Adjust the controls to a temperature, speed, pressure, or other setting that uses less energy but still does the job properly.
   
4. Use your equipment more efficiently - for example, load it to capacity rather than doing partial loads.
   
5. Clean, tune and adjust, lubricate, replace worn parts, and otherwise maintain the equipment.
   
6. Don't create unnecessary problems-for example, don't release process heat inside your building where the air conditioning system must then cool it.
   
7. Manage your electricity use to avoid high demand charges. This is very important if you use a lot of electricity for process energy. While it is not an energy conservation process, in that you still use the same amount of electricity, it can significantly decrease your expenditures.
   
8. When equipment that is worn out must be replaced, choose the most energy-efficient replacement, properly sized to meet the needs of the job.
   
9. If cost-justified, do a major overhaul to make equipment more energy efficient.
   
10. If cost-justified, replace equipment that still operates, with more energy-efficient equipment.
    
11. Install new automatic controls, if cost-justified.
    
12. Consider using residual heat to advantage - for example, excess process heat may be used to help warm the building.