Thank you for visiting our blog! We are a Chicago-area manufacturing company, founded in 2010, that is deeply committed to sustainability. We are embarking on an exciting project to build a new 53,000-square-foot facility, which will be our fourth manufacturing facility. Our vision is to develop a modern, energy-efficient building and demonstrate that our sustainable choices also make economic sense.
We intend to use solutions such as solar generation, geothermal heating and cooling, energy-efficient construction practices, and sustainable materials to offset our energy consumption and find savings in our operations.
Our Mission
Sustainability is at the heart of our mission. We believe in leveraging technology to enhance our bottom line and positively impact the environment. While many companies aspire to be energy-efficient, there is a common belief that cost-efficient routes do not align with sustainable practices. We aim to dispel that myth by sharing our journey with you.
Why "Net Zero"?
Our project is committed to achieving near-net-zero emissions, recognizing the complexities and challenges involved in reaching total net zero. Given current technological limitations, we want to acknowledge outright that complete net zero may not be immediately attainable for this project. Still, we are dedicated to implementing innovative strategies and technologies to minimize our environmental impact as much as possible.
Cut to the Chase and Share the Cost Savings
In 2023, we paid approximately $1.71 per square foot for electricity (prior to solar offsets) and $0.55 per square foot for natural gas for our existing facility. This results in an annual cost of $54,240 for our current facility. Our new facility is estimated to be nearly double our current size. If we maintain the status quo, the projected annual cost for our new facility would be $120,000.
However, by reducing our energy consumption by 50% and offsetting $40,000 per year via onsite solar generation, we anticipate saving $100,000 annually. This approach not only reduces our environmental impact but also significantly improves our financial performance. Using a 10% discount rate, we are budgeting $1,000,000 net of incentives towards energy efficiency improvements.
Where Are We Now?
We are currently working closely with an architect to design our facility and are actively securing the perfect future site. We are in the design phase and securing state grants and funding. Soon, we will share more information about how we found the right site, what state and local funding options are available, how to conduct feasibility studies for net-zero strategies, and more.
Looking Ahead
We are excited to share our progress and learnings with you through this blog. We hope our journey will inspire others in the manufacturing industry to consider more sustainable practices and demonstrate that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand. Stay tuned for updates on our progress, challenges we encounter, and milestones we achieve along the way.
Thank you for joining us on this journey to a more sustainable future!
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