Hubbell Canada

Hubbell Canada is a distributor and manufacturer of high quality electrical wiring devices, commercial and industrial lighting fixtures, electrical equipment for utility, telecommunications, industrial and commercial markets.

Hubbell is an ISO 9001 certified company. Their facility in Pickering employs 183 staff and includes 110,000 sq. ft for distribution and manufacturing and 35,000 sq. ft. of office space.

Hubbell strives to make changes including the reduction of energy consumption, the reduction of their carbon footprint and in turn, reduce costs. These are the goals of its two facilities; head office, distribution centre and manufacturing in Pickering, Ontario; and a satellite manufacturing operation in Montreal.

The Pickering facility is planning to complete an installation of T5 high output fluorescent fixtures into its distribution centre in order to reduce its electrical consumption for lighting the 100,000 square foot facility by half.  There are approximately 330 metal halide fixtures that will be replaced with the more economical fluorescent fixtures. In addition more than half of the fixtures will have occupancy sensors installed. These sensors will enable the fixture to provide half of its normal output when movement is not detected within the aisle. 

At the completion of this project in late 2008, Hubbell is expecting to reduce its lighting electrical costs by approximately 55%.

Other projects include:

•          Installing an HVAC building automation system that would optimally control building temperatures during operating hours only, rather than twenty-four hours, seven days a week.

•          Changing over to tankless hot water heating rather than a 40 gallon electric water heater. In addition an inefficient 80 gallon gas water heater will be reduced to a 40 gallon energy wise model.

•          Downsizing from a 70 to a 10 HP compressor and monitoring the air lines for potential leaks will prolong the life of the unit and create an opportunity for reduced energy usage.

•          Other alternative energy ideas under investigation include the installation of solar panels to reduce the electricity required from the local service providers.

Our Pickering location employees currently receive quarterly EnerSave Newsletter detailing different ideas for conserving energy both at work and at home. A suggestion box has been created, enabling employees to provide energy reducing ideas to run the facility more efficiently.  Employees may sign out an energy usage meter to determine whether their home appliances are efficient. 

Hubbell has also partnered with Durham Region Smart Commute program illustrating to employees the reduction of carbon emissions by carpooling.  Many employees at the Pickering facility are currently taking advantage of carpooling to reduce of cars on the road and also their personal transportation costs. Employees have been very instrumental in helping Hubbell make the required energy reduction. 

In addition Montreal is in the process of converting it’s lighting from the inefficient T12 fluorescent light to a more efficient T8 light fixture.  Other conservation efforts include the reduction of 11 million gallons of water consumption by modifying their water cooled compressor to a fan cooled model. With the addition of an air exchanger to the compressor, it resulted in a reduction of 28,222 cubic meters less natural gas relating to a reduction of 53.4 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Future projects at the Montreal facility include the modification of the impression welder from water to fan cooled. This would relate to a further reduction of 3.9 million gallons of water per year. 

These combined efforts translate to the reduction of energy consumption, and Hubbell’s carbon footprint. This demonstrates the commitment to make a positive contribution to energy conservation.

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