PennTAP helps company achieve more than $50,000 in annual energy savings

The PennTAP team was very professional and knowledgeable during the entire project. I would recommend them to others looking for help to grow or just looking for a competitive advantage.

— Mike Weaver, Controller, Balfurd Linen & Uniform

The Need

Balfurd Linen & Uniform provides linen and uniform rental service to restaurant, health care, facility management and manufacturing professionals.

Wanting to find ways to save money and positively impact its bottom line, the company and controller Mike Weaver was referred to PennTAP by Altoona Blair County Development (ABCD) Corporation, a private nonprofit 501(c)3 certified economic development corporation that works as a catalyst for business expansion in Blair County and through regional partnerships along the I-99 Innovation Corridor.

The Project

After the referral by ABCD Corporation, PennTAP scheduled a video conference call with Balfurd Linen & Uniform. During this call, PennTAP and the company discussed potential projects and project funding sources that could help its bottom line. A decision was ultimately made to have PennTAP visit Balfurd Linen & Uniform’s Tipton, Pennsylvania location to tour the facility and complete an Energy Efficiency (E2) assessment.

During PennTAP’s site tour, led by PennTAP advisor Amy Jorden, infrared photos were taken, maintenance practices and logs were discussed, and video was captured of multiple processes to learn more about the company’s operations. Based on information obtained during this visit and in subsequent discussions, PennTAP focused on the current dryer system and the proposed replacement dryer system, as it could be eligible for a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant. PennTAP then assisted with completion of the REAP grant application and Act 129 rebates for the dryer system replacement.

Outcomes and Benefits

This project provided several benefits to Balfurd Linen & Uniform:

  • The proposed upgrades are expected to save the company 275,107 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year, equivalent to $37,661 annually. The upgrades are also expected to save the company 3,040 million British thermal units (MMBtu) of natural gas per year, equivalent to $16,969 annually. Total projected annual energy cost savings are $54,630.
  • PennTAP also helped Balfurd Linen & Uniform obtain a USDA REAP grant of $182,976 as well as additional Act 129 Rebates.

Currently, Balfurd Linen & Uniform is working with PennTAP as it’s looking to upgrade to a new tunnel washer in the company’s Tipton Plant.

PennTAP is committed to helping achieve nine of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Of those nine goals, this project aligned with:  

About the Client

Balfurd Linen & Uniform

Address: 2467 Park Avenue, Tipton, PA 16684

Phone: 814-684-3710

Website: https://www.balfurdlinenservice.com/

County: Blair

Industry: Linen and Textile Service