Legrand Cuts Energy Use by 20 Percent, Beating DOE Goal by 8 Years

by | May 17, 2012

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Legrand has reduced its energy use by more than 20 percent, in its first year participating in the Department of Energy’s Building Buildings initiative.

The electrical and data networking manufacturer joined the DOE’s Better Buildings, Better Plant Challenge in January 2011. Legrand’s first goal, North America president and CEO John Selldorff said, was to reduce energy intensity by 25 percent in 10 years across 14 US facilities.

In 2011, Legrand used more energy-efficient lighting for manufacturing and office facilities, fixed air leaks and installed insulation. Its next goal is to implement a “showcase” project that will reduce energy use at its West Hartford, Conn., headquarters by 10 percent in two years. Legrand chose its West Hartford site because the 100-year-old, 263,000 square-foot, multi-use facility has several challenges in reducing energy usage, similar to those faced by mid-sized manufacturers and many existing buildings across the US, Selldorff said.

Selldorff says Legrand’s third and final goal is to show its customers, suppliers and peers that its energy conservation measures are replicable.

President Obama announced the Better Buildings, Better Plant Challenge in February 2011 as part of the Better Buildings initiative. The voluntary program asks chief executive officers, university presidents and state and local leaders to make a public commitment to energy efficiency, reporting their results to the DOE and the public. The goal of the Better Buildings Challenge is to make American commercial and industrial buildings at least 20 percent more energy efficient by 2020.

Legrand is also a member of the Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI), which, in March, provided its member companies a free tool to help them understand their local water challenges.

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