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La-Z-Boy Energy Efficiency Project

Becoming more energy efficient has saved money for the plant while, at the same time, reduced air emissions. Overall energy usage and emissions are closely monitored. While the electric bill has gone up some, the natural gas bill has gone down significantly.

By replacing a steam adsorption chiller with a state-of-the-art electric chiller, total energy use decrease by 41% in 2004.  In 2005, an additional 6.7% was realized. The installation of the new chiller allowed the gas boiler to be shut down during the summer months. In 2006, the company changed its packaging method, allowing it to shut down its natural gas-fueled heat shrink oven. Much of the reduction from 2006 to 2007 was achieved by changing to a single shift operation. However, conversion of some of the lighting from a HID system to a more energy efficient T-8 lights also contributed to the savings.

The following table shows the energy savings in recent years:

When La-Z-Boy compared actual utility bills (2003 to 2004), it found that the utility cost was $120,509 less. However, if the change in chillers had not been made and the company had paid for the natural gas at the 2004 price, it would have paid $213,000 more for utilities. In 2005, La-Z-Boy saved an additional $40,000 in energy costs. In 2005, La-Z-Boy saved an additional $40,000 in energy costs. Further changes in 2007 translated into a $30,567 savings in utility costs – even though electrical rates were raised by 10% at the first of that year.