Joy Cone, a Mercer County-based company that makes ice cream cones, recently saved more than $500,000 in energy costs due to recommendations made by Penn State's Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program and The Energy Management Institute.

An audit of Joy Cone operations evaluated motors, compressors, lighting, and energy accounting suggestions based on load requirements and electricity and gas use and cost.

The study resulted in an estimated annual savings opportunity of 16,039 MCF of natural gas and an estimated annual reduction of 651,743 kWh of electricity. These natural gas and electricity savings represent a total annual energy savings of 19,626 million BTU/yr, which equates to a potential total annual energy cost savings of $482,684.

Also identified were another $38,300/yr of non-energy related savings, bringing the total identified estimated savings opportunities to $520,984/yr.

The total implementation cost for the measures will be approximately $147,505, giving an average simple payback of 3.4 months.

The Energy Management Institute located at ETAC at Northampton Community College provides manufacturing companies with the skills necessary to effectively manage energy efficiency through reductions in energy consumption and costs through investment-grade energy audits.

For more information, please contact Pete Roberts, EMI Manager, 610-861-5367 or send email to: plroberts@etctr.com .

2/22/2008