Energy-saving technology. Have you seen the green light?

Saving energy is not only good for our environment, but, as the upward trend in energy prices looks set to continue for the foreseeable future it also makes sound economic sense from a business perspective. In common with most other industries, the body repair and vehicle refinishing industry is having to take a long, hard serious look at its energy consumption and carbon emissions. As a result, the demand for energy-saving products, particularly those associated with vehicle spraybooth operation, is increasing rapidly.

In recent years, there have been a number of important advances in spraybooth energy-efficiency around the main functions of drying, airflow and lighting. One of the companies at the forefront of new technology in these key areas of spraybooth operation is Junair, the UK’s leading manufacturer of spraybooth ovens and associated equipment.

Originally invented in 1996, one of the most important developments introduced by Junair is the QADs™ auxiliary air movement system.

Designed for use with coatings that comply with the 2007 Paint Directive, this fully patented system supplies additional airflow from the corners of the spraybooth cabin. Reducing overall paint drying and curing process times by around 35%, the QADs™ system is proven to save thousands of pounds in energy costs throughout the spraybooth’s lifetime and can substantially increase spraybooth capacity and revenue. QADs™ can be fitted to a Bodyshop’s existing spraybooth oven, whatever the make.

But the potential for achieving significant reductions in spraybooth running costs doesn’t stop there. Even greater savings can be made in energy consumption if an auxiliary air movement system such as QADs™ system is matched with the specification of variable speed drives. In a modern spraybooth oven incorporating auxiliary air movement, full air rate is only required for the spraying mode. All other activities including load/unload, cleaning and final masking, flash-off and baking can be carried out with a lower airflow. Variable speed drives automatically vary the airflow in the cabin to match process demands, further reducing cycle times and energy usage.

Further savings can be achieved with the addition of an automatic air recirculation system. Junair’s version, called Fuel Saver (FS), determines when a booth requires full fresh air intake i.e. the paint application process and automatically switches to recirculation mode for idle, loading/unloading, cleaning/final masking, flash off and bake.

To illustrate energy saving costs, an investment in a Junair Spraybooth specified with the QADs™ auxiliary air movement system, variable speed drives and automatic air recirculation can slash energy costs by as much as 72% compared with a conventional spraybooth. In real terms, based upon 30 jobs per week, this can equate to potential savings in excess of £47,000 over 5 years.

The amount of money spent on energy each year directly impacts on profit. Specifying any system that can deliver dramatic reductions in energy consumption on each and every refinishing job, whilst in many cases increasing spraybooth productivity, has to be an excellent investment, both economically and environmentally.

Junair’s holistic approach to energy consumption has also seen the development of the very latest technology in spraybooth lighting with their Ultralux system. A combination of energy-efficient fluorescent tubes and high frequency electronic gear reduce energy costs without compromising on illumination quality. In fact, Ultralux lighting levels exceed 1500 lux, even when measured low down in the booth. Easy access to lighting panels and inexpensive tube replacement keep maintenance costs low.

A huge bonus to bodyshops looking to improve their energy efficiency and invest in new spraybooth technology is the participation of leading manufacturers such as Junair in the Carbon Trust Energy-Efficiency Loan scheme. Customers purchasing a spraybooth oven or associated equipment that reduces energy consumption may be able to qualify for an interest-free loan. There is no arrangement fee and loans are repayable over one to four years, depending on the energy-savings and carbon emission reductions generated by the new equipment.

Commenting on the scheme, Junair Spraybooths’ Managing Director, Neil Morrison, said: “Junair products such as our QADs™ auxiliary air movement technology with variable speed drives or Fuel Saver spraybooth operating modes have a dramatic effect in reducing spraybooth energy consumption and costs. The energy-savings generated by the equipment will effectively pay for the loan and the customer also benefits from increased productivity. It’s a win win situation, ultimately resulting in more profit from body repair and refinishing operations.”