CJ Automotive, Butler, Ind.
Retrofit Team
HVAC Installer: Freedom Heating & Plumbing, Auburn, Ind.
Manufacturer’s Representative: B&B Energy, Indianapolis
Materials
The owners of CJ Automotive knew their building’s existing boiler was not only inefficient, but also was providing uneven temperatures, leaving their employees uncomfortable. However, management was concerned that retrofitting a new system would disrupt production in the factory.
The automotive parts manufacturer’s leaders opted to replace the boiler with a trio of space heaters from Cambridge Engineering that are classified as HTHV (high temperature heating and ventilation) products.
Contractor Toby Jordan of Freedom Heating & Plumbing worked with B&B Energy’s Mike Zipse, as well as Cambridge Engineering’s in-house engineers, to specify the proper size and placement of three heating units for the 126,300-square-foot facility. the new units—SA 250, S800 and S2200—were mounted on walls rather than on ceilings, which minimized block- ing sections of the factory for installation during production hours. The combination of these three units is enough to provide efficient and draft-free heat to the entire facility.
CJ Automotive’s thermostat setting went from 55 F with the old system to 68 F using the Cambridge HTHV equipment. The workforce now has an environment in which they feel comfortable on the job. they also enjoy improved air temperature uniformity because of de-stratification with no need for supplemental fans and better indoor air quality with the use of 100 percent outside-air HTHV units.
The HTHV equipment also qualifies CJ Automotive for commercial rebates through the natural-gas utility provider, which helps the business with equipment costs and ROI.
HTHV Manufacturer: Cambridge Engineering
The Retrofit
Ron Lanning, plant manager at CJ Automotive, says that following installation employees are more comfortable and the air quality is improved. the cost savings are undeniable, as well, ranging up to 54 percent per month in winter. “We have saved approximately $2,500 each month in fuel costs, plus numerous man-hours in maintenance or repairs of the old boiler system and thousands of dollars in annual boiler inspection fees,” Lanning says. “The heat is now regulated and comfortable throughout the building versus having spikes in temperature with the old boiler system. We also use the Cambridge units to bring in fresh outside air on warm and hot days.”
PHOTOS: Cambridge Engineering