Frantz Manufacturing Goes Green with Revamped Factory Lighting
A completely new lighting system was recently installed at Frantz Manufacturing Company's Bearing Division plant that is expected to reduce electricity usage by 96,000 Kwh or 60% annually.
The original lighting system, installed during the plant's construction in 1971, consisted of 400W Twin Mercury and 400W Sodium Vapor lamps along with older style T12 type fluorescent tubes in the office areas. A total of 428 fixtures were replaced with higher technology GE T8 HI LUMEN fluorescent tubes and
ULTRA MAX HP ballasts mounted in fixtures from Precision Paragon (www.p-2.com).
In addition to the annual 60% electricity cost savings that are being realized, the illumination on the factory floor has been dramatically improved which has improved productivity and further promoted quality awareness. The environmental impact of the project is calculated to be 63 tons of CO2, removed from the environment annually. 1 This is environmental equivalent to 18 acres of planted trees, 16 cars removed from the road, 7,938 gallons of gas saved, and 189 barrels of oil saved, based upon PA Government Services Inc methodology for Focus on Energy programs.
Frantz participated in ComEd's Smart Ideas for Your Business program which provided incentives for investment in energy saving technology. Partners for consulting and installation included Avent Energy Solutions (www.aventenergy.com) of Roscoe, IL and Engel Electric (www.engelelectric.com) of Sterling IL.
For further information on Frantz Manufacturing Company, 3201 West LeFevre Road, Sterling Illinois USA 61081 please visit: http://www.frantz-mfg.com/
For more information on this project, please contact the Frantz Manufacturing Company; Jim Batten, Maintenance and Tool Room Supervisor, 815.625.7063.
