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Houweling’s among Utah’s energy efficiency leaders

June 18, 2017  By Dave Harrison


June 17, 2017, Mona, UT – In recognition of leading energy saving efforts, Houweling’s Group was among four companies honored recently as part of Utah’s Energy Efficiency Challenge.

The Challenge is managed by Utah Clean Energy in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Energy Development and the University of Utah’s Intermountain Industrial Assessment Centre. It is supported by the United States Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office.

“By implementing cost-effective energy upgrades, these businesses are reducing their operational costs, while also improving reliability and air quality along the Wasatch Front,” said Dr. Laura Nelson, the Governor’s energy advisor and executive director of the Governor’s Office of Energy Development.

There is a huge potential among large companies in the state to save energy and reduce consumption of natural resources through investing in energy efficiency, said Kevin Emerson, energy efficiency program director for Utah Clean Energy. “In addition to realizing a great return on investment, energy efficiency projects also reduce pollution emitted from energy consumption.”

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PROPRIETARY HEAT AT CO2 CAPTURE SYSTEM

Houweling’s energy efficiency projects include an innovative proprietary heat and CO2 capture system in which the company diverts previously wasted heat and CO2 from being released by neighbouring power plant Rocky Mountain Power, and into Houweling’s energy building.

The heat is used for on-demand heat requirements and the remaining exhaust CO2 is put directly into the greenhouse to promote plant fertilization and growth. This system replaces propane-fuelled boilers to provide required heat and CO2.

The company also installed state-of-the-art, energy efficient technologies throughout the operation, including over 15,000 energy-efficient grow lights, 600 variable speed fan motors, and motion sensors to activate and shut off overhead lighting. These efficiency projects reduce on-site electricity consumption by nearly 12 million kilowatt hours annually.

Houweling’s Group is an industry leading greenhouse vegetable grower, propagator and marketer with operations in Delta, B.C., Camarillo, Calif., Mona, Utah and Loveland, Col. A year-round grower, with over 200 acres of greenhouse farms, Houweling’s sustainably produces fresh and flavorful tomatoes, peppers, fresh herbs and cucumbers.


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