June 25, 2007
Insuring energy efficiency
By Darlene Darcy
From changing light bulbs to high-tech HVAC, Hanover tries to keep energy costs in check
More than 4,000 employees of The Hanover Insurance Group recently pledged to replace existing incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs in their homes, the latest initiative of several green projects the company has undertaken.
Hanover, which is based in Worcester, partnered with local utility National Grid and Energy Star's "Change a Light, Change the World" campaign to supply the light bulbs and administer the program. To take the pledge, employees filled out an online registration form on Energy Star's web site, selected the number of bulbs they would replace, and were then given the new bulbs. The program began on April 22 in recognition of Earth Day.
Employees committed to replacing 6,669 light bulbs. These replacements will save 1.8 million kilowatts of energy, which represents a cost savings of more than $188,000, according to Energy Star's measurements. It also prevents 2.9 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the bulbs. Hanover's Worcester campus alone accounted for 50 percent participation in the project.
In addition to the "Change a Light, Change the World" campaign, Hanover hosted an energy fair for employees to learn more about energy conservation and cost savings and to purchase energy efficient products. Educators and vendors at the fair included representatives from National Grid, Energy Star, and TechniArt which sells lights and light fixtures. MassRides was also there with information on ride sharing and carpool programs.
Dual benefit
Jay Johnson, Hanover's vice president of facilities and corporate real estate, who was responsible for the light bulb replacement program, said the company is committed "to making sure that the environment is cared for appropriately." But there is also a benefit to being environmentally responsible. "It costs less to operate," he said.
Johnson said Hanover's energy efficiency goal in 2007 is to reduce its energy costs by 5 percent.
Rather than repairing old energy systems, which can be costly, Johnson said Hanover approaches the company's facilities with "an eye on sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental friendliness."
Hanover has implemented other programs and practices to help attain its efficiency goals. From implementing recycling programs and using green cleaning products to installing Energy Star's white roofing product to reduce the use of its cooling systems. The company also operates a thermal energy storage system that uses ice produced overnight to cool its building during the day.
In a basement room of Hanover's North Building are two air-conditioning units instead of the four that would be required to cool the building if it weren't for the 27 ice storage tanks lining the adjacent walls. Traditional "chillers," or air-conditioning units, run overnight for four to six hours to produce ice in the 1,600- and 850-gallon tanks. During the day as the ice melts, the cold water is used to cool the building, allowing Hanover to shut off its air-conditioners and only run fans. Running the air-conditioners at night is less costly, said Johnson, because energy demand is lower.
Remote control
Paul Gallagher, facilities electrician and HVAC tech for Hanover, maintains the system and the computer software that monitors its performance. From an office in one of the basement machine rooms or from his laptop at home, Gallagher can view in real time whether fans are blowing properly and comfortable temperatures are being maintained. The automated systems and overnight operation allow him and the company's other technicians to perform routine maintenance during the day rather than after hours. Gallagher said the system, which was installed when the building was built in the early 90s, is almost 20 years old and remains nearly maintenance-free.
Johnson could not identify one energy efficiency initiative at Hanover that is more effective than any other one. He said that these efficiencies are not afterthoughts or add-ons that cost the company a premium.
"It's ingrained in the way we think about things," and the company is now experiencing the associated cost benefits, he said.
More than 4,000 employees of The Hanover Insurance Group recently pledged to replace existing incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs in their homes, the latest initiative of several green projects the company has undertaken.
Hanover, which is based in Worcester, partnered with local utility National Grid and Energy Star's "Change a Light, Change the World" campaign to supply the light bulbs and administer the program. To take the pledge, employees filled out an online registration form on Energy Star's web site, selected the number of bulbs they would replace, and were then given the new bulbs. The program began on April 22 in recognition of Earth Day.
Employees committed to replacing 6,669 light bulbs. These replacements will save 1.8 million kilowatts of energy, which represents a cost savings of more than $188,000, according to Energy Star's measurements. It also prevents 2.9 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the bulbs. Hanover's Worcester campus alone accounted for 50 percent participation in the project.
In addition to the "Change a Light, Change the World" campaign, Hanover hosted an energy fair for employees to learn more about energy conservation and cost savings and to purchase energy efficient products. Educators and vendors at the fair included representatives from National Grid, Energy Star, and TechniArt which sells lights and light fixtures. MassRides was also there with information on ride sharing and carpool programs.
Dual benefit
Jay Johnson, Hanover's vice president of facilities and corporate real estate, who was responsible for the light bulb replacement program, said the company is committed "to making sure that the environment is cared for appropriately." But there is also a benefit to being environmentally responsible. "It costs less to operate," he said.
Johnson said Hanover's energy efficiency goal in 2007 is to reduce its energy costs by 5 percent.
Rather than repairing old energy systems, which can be costly, Johnson said Hanover approaches the company's facilities with "an eye on sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental friendliness."
Jay Johnson, vice president of facilities and corporate real estate, standing in front of energy-efficient chillers used to cool the company∈s Worcester headquarters
In a basement room of Hanover's North Building are two air-conditioning units instead of the four that would be required to cool the building if it weren't for the 27 ice storage tanks lining the adjacent walls. Traditional "chillers," or air-conditioning units, run overnight for four to six hours to produce ice in the 1,600- and 850-gallon tanks. During the day as the ice melts, the cold water is used to cool the building, allowing Hanover to shut off its air-conditioners and only run fans. Running the air-conditioners at night is less costly, said Johnson, because energy demand is lower.
Remote control
Paul Gallagher, facilities electrician and HVAC tech for Hanover, maintains the system and the computer software that monitors its performance. From an office in one of the basement machine rooms or from his laptop at home, Gallagher can view in real time whether fans are blowing properly and comfortable temperatures are being maintained. The automated systems and overnight operation allow him and the company's other technicians to perform routine maintenance during the day rather than after hours. Gallagher said the system, which was installed when the building was built in the early 90s, is almost 20 years old and remains nearly maintenance-free.
Johnson could not identify one energy efficiency initiative at Hanover that is more effective than any other one. He said that these efficiencies are not afterthoughts or add-ons that cost the company a premium.
"It's ingrained in the way we think about things," and the company is now experiencing the associated cost benefits, he said.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments