National Insulation Association Says Mechanical Insulation Saves Money
While an economic recovery in the United States remains tepid despite relatively positive economic news for the first few months of 2010, commodity prices have rebounded significantly. Energy prices for oil and industrial natural gas are substantially higher than their 2009 lows.1 High energy prices could undermine any sustained recovery and especially dampen any rebound for manufacturers already battered by the recession. Faced with uncertain energy prices for the foreseeable future, manufacturers and energy managers may want to consider options to reduce price volatility in their energy supply inputs. They may not be in a position to invest in a capital project that uses up scarce resources during a slow business climate.2 They may likewise need options that generate a payback under short time horizons. One such (often overlooked) energy efficiency strategy option is mechanical insulation.
If wide application of mechanical insulation systems doesn’t generate interest in itself, then one should consider the effect they can have on the annual operating budget. Often, mechanical insulation systems have a payback period of 12 months or less,6 which equates to a 100% annual return.