Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust (LMCT) Executive Director Pete Ielmini joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how the war in Ukraine has put a spotlight on energy independence and why mechanical insulation is important to conserving energy resources.
Ielmini said the tragic conflict in Ukraine has put the global energy economy on the front burner, which ties directly to the valuable work of mechanical insulators. Every gallon of fuel saved through the use of properly installed mechanical insulation helps the U.S. be more energy efficient and less dependent on Russian fossil fuel, he added.
Ielmini then spoke about the importance of energy efficiency audits to determine whether the infrastructure of a building is properly insulated. Studies have shown that 10 to 30 percent of the mechanical insulation in buildings is missing or damaged, which is a critical waste of fossil fuels, he said. He pointed out mechanical insulation has a two-year return on investment — a virtually unheard of return rate for energy efficiency.
Unfortunately, most building managers do not know their buildings are missing mechanical insulation, nor are they aware of the degree of energy savings that can be obtained through proper mechanical insulation, Ielmini said. The LMCT strives to raise awareness to help property owners save money while simultaneously reducing their carbon footprint, he added.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.