Efficiency Vermont is helping Ehrmann Commonwealth Dairy achieve an estimated $2.1 million in lifetime savings through ongoing energy efficiency efforts, the Brattleboro Reformer reports.

Maintaining an energy efficient facility has been a priority for the Vermont-based yogurt maker since it broke ground in Brattleboro in 2009. Energy efficient control systems and processing equipment provided an estimated first-year savings of $150,000.

Since opening its doors, an analysis revealed that the dairy’s compressed air system was oversized, so it purchased a smaller system to better meet the facility’s daily needs, resulting in $22,300 in annual savings. The larger system is now used as a backup.

Other energy efficiency improvements at the facility include a variable-speed, water-cooled chiller system and energy efficient motors, lighting, heating and ventilation.

The savings achieved through ongoing energy efficiency improvements have allowed Commonwealth Dairy to expand its operations, distribute more yogurt and hire more people.

Commonwealth is also collaborating with other businesses to ship whey byproducts as biofuel.

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