Energy-saving procedures at Mission Foods’ new Production Facility in Rancho Cucamonga have helped the company save more than $300,000 per year in operating costs.

Plans indicated that the plant’s food processing and refrigerated storage equipment would consume more energy than any other equipment in the facility. These kinds of equipment transfer large amounts of heat to the manufacturing area, so designers developed a strategy to reduce energy requirements for space conditioning.

Evaporative pre-coolers were added to air handlers in the manufacturing areas. These devices, which are particularly effective in the region’s dry climate, reduce the temperature of outside air entering the building. Energy savings from this process are substantial since manufacturing areas draw at least half of their ventilation air from the outside.

The production facility’s skylights save energy while providing abundant natural light to the production and packaging areas. These skylights incorporate a low-emissivity glazing that helps reduce heat gain without affecting interior illumination levels.