Four Seasons Produce recognized for energy efficiency
Four Seasons Produce recognized for energy efficiency
Four Seasons Produce Inc.'s distribution center in Ephrata, PA, has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's prestigious Energy Star, the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental protection that is awarded to some commercial buildings and industrial plants that rate in the top 25 percent of facilities in the nation for energy efficiency.
Four Season's facility is one of only two refrigerated warehouses in the country to earn the designation.
"Four Seasons Produce is pleased to accept EPA's recognition of our energy efficiency," Ron Carkoski, president and chief executive officer of Four Seasons, said in a press release. "In an organization committed to 'Growing Ideas, Producing Excellence,' earning the Energy Star validates the results of our ongoing efforts to lower our energy costs. We initially joined the EPA's Energy Star partnership because its objectives matched well with goals we were already pursuing."
Commercial buildings that earn the Energy Star use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
"Four Seasons has improved our energy performance over the years by working to continuously improve the use of energy and resources across our entire organization," Nelson Longenecker, vice president of business innovation, said in the press release. "This program has enabled us to build and refine the energy component of our sustainability efforts. Through 2007, we are saving over 16 percent in annual energy bills and preventing greenhouse gas emissions equal to the electricity usage of 30 households for a year. Better yet, we are still finding significant ways to reduce our energy footprint."
A high level of energy efficiency and resource usage at Four Seasons Produce have been achieved through multiple projects led by Randy Groff, certified facility manager. Examples include installing energy management software in the refrigeration system, reducing electric use by over 50,000 kWh per month; and partnering with a curtailment service provider to actively participate in demand response programs through the PJM Interconnection.
This partnership also provides Four Seasons Produce with powerful real-time energy-reporting, analytics and forecasting software; a recent lighting retrofit in the warehouse and production areas of the distribution facility. Changing 400 metal-halide lamps to six-lamp fluorescent fixtures is projected to reduce annual electrical demand by lighting of over 600,000 kWh - and produce an equivalent decrease in the refrigeration load.
To increase awareness among its associates, Four Seasons Produce promotes energy and sustainability each month by producing an article for its in-house weekly newsletter. One section of its web site also promotes company initiatives.
On an annual basis, Mr. Groff holds an Energy & Sustainability Summit for key managers to share results of past projects and communicate on developing initiatives.
Four Season's facility is one of only two refrigerated warehouses in the country to earn the designation.
"Four Seasons Produce is pleased to accept EPA's recognition of our energy efficiency," Ron Carkoski, president and chief executive officer of Four Seasons, said in a press release. "In an organization committed to 'Growing Ideas, Producing Excellence,' earning the Energy Star validates the results of our ongoing efforts to lower our energy costs. We initially joined the EPA's Energy Star partnership because its objectives matched well with goals we were already pursuing."
Commercial buildings that earn the Energy Star use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
"Four Seasons has improved our energy performance over the years by working to continuously improve the use of energy and resources across our entire organization," Nelson Longenecker, vice president of business innovation, said in the press release. "This program has enabled us to build and refine the energy component of our sustainability efforts. Through 2007, we are saving over 16 percent in annual energy bills and preventing greenhouse gas emissions equal to the electricity usage of 30 households for a year. Better yet, we are still finding significant ways to reduce our energy footprint."
A high level of energy efficiency and resource usage at Four Seasons Produce have been achieved through multiple projects led by Randy Groff, certified facility manager. Examples include installing energy management software in the refrigeration system, reducing electric use by over 50,000 kWh per month; and partnering with a curtailment service provider to actively participate in demand response programs through the PJM Interconnection.
This partnership also provides Four Seasons Produce with powerful real-time energy-reporting, analytics and forecasting software; a recent lighting retrofit in the warehouse and production areas of the distribution facility. Changing 400 metal-halide lamps to six-lamp fluorescent fixtures is projected to reduce annual electrical demand by lighting of over 600,000 kWh - and produce an equivalent decrease in the refrigeration load.
To increase awareness among its associates, Four Seasons Produce promotes energy and sustainability each month by producing an article for its in-house weekly newsletter. One section of its web site also promotes company initiatives.
On an annual basis, Mr. Groff holds an Energy & Sustainability Summit for key managers to share results of past projects and communicate on developing initiatives.
