Neenah Foundry implements innovative energy-efficient technology

From a news release issued by Focus on Energy and published on PitchEngine.com:

With the help of Focus on Energy, Wisconsin utilities’ statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy, and in partnership with We Energies, Neenah Foundry has implemented an energy-efficient emerging technology into practice that shows promise for any facility that operates cabinet coolers. Neenah Foundry, of Neenah, Wis., cut energy costs on 68 cabinet coolers by more than 50 percent—this adds up to energy savings of more than $141,000 annually.

Cabinet coolers keep critical electronic circuitry in challenging industrial environments clean, cool, and dry. Traditionally, cabinet coolers use a lot of compressed air which translates into high energy use. After exploring various options to reduce the energy use of cabinet coolers at Neenah Foundry, studies showed that retrofitting the cabinet coolers with thermostat controls and an integrated purge function would be the most cost-effective energy-saving option.

Neenah Foundry retrofitted 68 vortex cabinet coolers which now use a small amount of purge air to maintain positive pressure within the cabinets at all times. They only use full air flow when the thermostat calls for cooling. The electronic thermostat operates just like a standard programmable thermostat, activating only when the temperature inside the cabinet rises to a certain level which prevents the cabinet coolers from needlessly running at full flow.