{"id":6956,"date":"2012-04-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2012-04-01T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insulation.org\/io\/articles\/industry-resolve-change-the-status-quo\/"},"modified":"2012-04-01T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2012-04-01T00:00:00","slug":"industry-resolve-change-the-status-quo","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/insulation.org\/io\/articles\/industry-resolve-change-the-status-quo\/","title":{"rendered":"Industry Resolve: Change the Status Quo"},"content":{"rendered":"

Each
\nyear our industry talks about the abundant opportunities for mechanical
\ninsulation to make a difference in energy efficiency, in the “green” movement,
\nin helping our economy recover, in supporting our country’s effort for energy
\nindependence and national security, and other areas of importance to all facets
\nof industry and government?and each year we nod our heads in agreement. We have
\naccomplished so much in the last 5 years, but mechanical insulation is still
\nlike Rodney Dangerfield on the battle fields of energy efficiency and “green”
\ninitiatives: We get no respect.<\/span><\/p>\n

We humbly discuss our successes and we are well aware that
\nmany factors and players are responsible for those achievements. Ralph Waldo
\nEmerson wrote, “There is no limit to what can be accomplished if it doesn’t
\nmatter who gets the credit.” As an industry, we need to appreciate that there
\nis no limit to what we can accomplish if we band together to make a difference
\nfor the common good and not worry about who gets the credit. We have made great
\nstrides in our efforts to have mechanical insulation recognized and appreciated
\nfor its value in the commercial and industrial segments, but the journey is
\nlong and not always easy. It is time to change the rules of the game and
\naccelerate our efforts. <\/span><\/p>\n

Our industry is small in comparison to many others, but our
\nimpact on the nation’s economy on a dollar-for-dollar basis has to rank in the
\nupper percentile. Why does our contribution seem to be viewed as less
\nsignificant in Washington, D.C., in state capitals and by agencies, coalitions,
\nassociations, and many in the engineering and construction communities? While
\nthat question does not apply to every individual or situation, as an industry
\nveteran I am reminded daily that it applies to many more than some would like
\nto admit.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is time for mechanical insulation?our industry?to have an
\nactive seat at the tables of influence. It is time for all industry channel
\nparticipants to get involved. Individually, our voices are not always heard.
\nTogether, they echoe off the walls of change and we accelerate in the race to
\nmake a difference?a race that is less about crossing the finish line first than
\nabout not being in the back of the pack. The danger of being left behind is
\nreal and should not be ignored.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Our industry needs to resolve to be recognized as a leader in
\nenergy efficiency and other fields in which we participate and influence the
\nchanging commercial and industrial construction environment. We need to
\nchallenge the status quo.<\/span><\/p>\n

Energy and Energy
\nEfficiency<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Energy
\nis and will remain at the center of our economic future and around the world.
\nEnergy independence, national security, climate change, and sustainable
\ndevelopment are all affected by energy. Advocates of increased use of
\nalternative energy sources increased production and use of nuclear and fossil
\nfuels; and a long list of similar initiatives seems to be in every publication.
\nUltimately, probably all of the above needs to move forward at a faster pace
\nand scale.<\/span><\/p>\n

Efficiency needs to be first on the list when it comes to
\neveryone’s discussion about our energy future. The End-Use Efficiency Working
\nGroup noted in its 2003 report, “Efficiency can be a powerful tool in any
\neffort to accomplish sweeping changes in the use of fossil fuels, to make
\nindustry more profitable, and to tame the emissions challenges of the 21st
\ncentury.” That applies to all energy sources and potentially is the easiest and
\nfastest goal to achieve, given the investment required for expansion or
\ncreation of new facilities and technologies. However, we must realize that any
\nnumber of barriers prevent a high level of energy efficiency investments.<\/span><\/p>\n

One such barrier is clearly evident in the maintenance<\/span> of mechanical insulation. We have
\nheard many times, “common sense indicates you should replace or repair missing
\nor damaged insulation.” If that is the case, there is a tremendous lack of
\ncommon sense around. (Sorry, but it is true.) <\/span><\/p>\n

NIA published two specific studies, among many others,
\nrelated to missing or damaged insulation.\u00a0 Working with the Department of
\nEnergy and Oak Ridge National Laboratories (May 2010), NIA and its partners
\nextrapolated the results of more than 1,100 assessments of large and medium
\nmanufacturing facilities, which indicates that mechanical insulation could
\ndeliver annually $3.7 billion in energy savings and reduction of 83.5 billion
\nlbs\/yr of carbon emissions, with a return on investment in 13.1 months (95
\npercent annual return) and creating more than 27,500 sustainable jobs from
\nsimple maintenance of mechanical insulation in industrial\/manufacturing plants.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

A mechanical insulation energy appraisal was conducted
\n(September 2010) on a variety of State of Montana facilities located in and
\naround Helena, Montana. The objective of the appraisal was to determine the
\nenergy, cost and emission reduction opportunities available via the repair or
\nreplacement?maintenance?of mechanical insulation systems in Montana’s state
\nfacilities. The assessment addressed 56 mechanical rooms in 25 facilities.
\nEstimates indicate energy savings representing roughly 8 percent of the total
\nnatural gas consumption of the facilities analyzed, with an annualized rate of
\nreturn of 24 percent. <\/span><\/p>\n

Industry has been estimating for years that between 10 and 30
\npercent of all exposed mechanical insulation becomes damaged or missing within
\n1 to 3 years of installation. Over time, and depending on the operating
\nenvironment and exposure to the elements, that percentage is likely higher. With
\nthe energy savings potential and the rate of return, the common sense truism
\nstated makes sense only if you employ common sense. Maybe the barrier is that
\nCEOs and CFOs, and others in the budget chain, need to employ a different
\nfinancial model. In the case of mechanical insulation maintenance, it is an
\ninvestment that delivers an acceptable rate of return or hurdle rate. It should
\nnot be viewed as impairment to the short-term bottom line but as an enhancement
\nto the short- and long-term cost bottom line.<\/span><\/p>\n

Education and
\nAwareness – the Best Way Forward<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

After
\nyears of frustration related to realization that mechanical insulation is not
\nbeing recognized for its value in many arenas, I remain convinced the
\nfundamental problem is lack of sufficient and proper education and awareness as
\nto the design, installation and maintenance of mechanical insulation systems. <\/span><\/p>\n

The need for basic and continuing education at the college,
\nuniversity and trade school levels is a given. How to accomplish that
\nefficiently and cost effectively is the challenge. However, the magnitude of
\nthe challenge should not be a deterrent to embracing the opportunity. If our
\nindustry is going to fundamentally change how mechanical insulation is viewed,
\neducation?at a minimum at the post high school level?must happen. Some would
\nargue the basics of thermal insulation education should begin at the grade
\nschool level. The enormity of that challenge and opportunity goes far beyond
\nthe scope of this article, however. <\/span><\/p>\n

NIA has taken a leading role in the development of some great
\neducational tools that are free, generic by design, and available 24\/7\/365: the
\nMechanical Insulation Design Guide (MIDG); the suite of simple calculators;
\nand, most recently, a series of
\nE-Learning modules. These tools were created to aid you in business and can
\neven help grow your sales. Has your company
\ntaken the initiative to educate your employees about the value and use of these
\ntools and, more importantly, have you educated your customers? <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The best marketing endorsement is word
\nof mouth. If industry participants are not using and encouraging others to
\ninvestigate and use the tools available within their own companies, and with
\ntheir direct and indirect customers, how can we expect meaningful industry
\nchange to occur? It is the easiest, most cost-effective, and meaningful means
\nto influence change: educate your employees and encourage them to educate
\nothers. You may be amazed. Improved employee and customer loyalty, increased
\ncustomer and market share, and product preference may result, all of which
\ntranslate to increased profitability.<\/span><\/p>\n

The concept is similar to gossip, it just does not move as
\nfast. You tell 10 people, those people tell 10 people and so forth. Before long
\nyou are educating a larger universe. If people hear continual information about
\nthe value of mechanical insulation, you create behavior change and have
\nimplemented one of the most effective marketing strategies?word of mouth and
\nendorsement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Government
\nInitiatives – Support<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

We
\nare the only association solely focused on the mechanical insulation industry
\nand working for all its of participants?manufacturers, distributors,
\nlaminators, fabricators, and contractors. Our industry is more visible than
\never on Capitol Hill. Just a few years ago we had no presence, and now we are
\nengaged on many fronts, including:<\/span><\/p>\n