Our Thermal Footprint 

In 2009, we set out to reduce normalized total energy use in our Specialty Coffee Business Unit by 10% and we exceeded that goal, reducing our thermal footprint by 29%.

We undertook various energy projects that we estimate will save us over 2.2 million kilowatt-hours per year

• Waterbury – In Waterbury, we completed work on two efficiency projects that began late in FY2008, and completed two additional lighting upgrades.   We installed an energy efficient data center in our distribution center.   By designing the system to fully separate return and supply air steams, use outside air for cooling, and use waste heat for heating our warehouse, Efficiency Vermont estimates that the system will save 47,133 KWh of electricity annually, and as much as 6,000 gallons of propane per year.  The lighting upgrades are estimated to save just under 70,000 KWh a year. 
• Essex - We upgraded the controls on our massive industrial central vacuum system by installing a wireless remote start and auto-shutoff controls.  These improvements make it easier for our production staff to use the system efficiently.  This project is estimated to save approximately 46,000 KWh annually, based on calculations from Efficiency Vermont.
• Knoxville - In our Knoxville facility, we replaced the metal halide lighting that came with the building with high efficiency T5 High Output lighting system.   Because the new lighting uses about half the power of a metal halide, we are able to save more than 2 million KWh annually.   We also installed a high efficiency / low air velocity compressed air system, that is similar in configuration to our Waterbury facility. 
• Sumner - In Sumner, we installed a new compressor system that was a dramatic improvement in efficiency over the system that served the original Tully’s plant.   By decreasing the number of compressors, and installing more than 5000 gallons of compressed air storage, this new system saves us approximately 86,000 KWh of electricity each year.