False Creek Collision Eco- Climate Smart Case Study

False Creek Collision Eco is a member of the Burnaby Board of Trade and a member of the BBOT’s Pledge for a Sustainable Community. 

As a part of our goal to help our members continue to learn how to measure, manage and reduce their footprint we collaborated with Vancity and Climate Smart.  $1000 Vancity bursaries are available to our members interested in getting Climate Smart certified. Join Reid’s Auto Recycling Ltd, Acuere Consulting, D&L Safety, Electronic Arts, Sorin Group, D-Wave, Gourmet Baker in cutting carbon and cutting costs.

 

False Creek Collision ECO (“FCCE”) is an auto body repair shop servicing Metro Vancouver. Located in Burnaby, BC, they are the first auto body shop in Western Canada to use an environmentally friendly waterborne paint system, which eliminates 90% of the volatile organic compounds typically used in auto body paint spraying systems. In 2013, they were the only auto body shop to receive the Business Excellence Award for Environmental Sustainability from the Burnaby Board of Trade.

In February 2015, FCCE needed to replace their aging compressor. For a business of this size, this was to be a considerable investment. Bernhard Rubbert, business owner, decided he needed to gain a better understanding of what his options were. As a business that has built their brand rooted in environmental sustainability, particularly within an industry not known for its environmental focus, Bernhard wanted to find a machine that could not only perform optimally, but one that would reduce his energy demands.

After investing many hours of research, Rubbert identified the BOGE Compressor, with an anticipated ~30% reduction in electricity consumption, as his best option. What’s more, FCCE was able to secure financing that matched their cost savings over the term of the loan. As a result, FCCE’s new compressor will be paid off in four years without placing any financial burden on the business. Beyond that they will be adding $2,600 to their bottom line, and preventing the release of 324 kg of carbon emissions every year, equivalent to burning 158 kg of coal a year.

While putting in the hours to replace their compressor, FCCE also enrolled in the Climate Smart program with the aim of building a better understanding of their carbon impact. This experience highlighted the contribution of their paint booth towards their carbon footprint. Through Climate Smart certification, Rubbert was also able to identify future opportunities for reductions, and a new project: to look for ways to reduce the need for natural gas to cure auto paint, and/or offset this need through the purchase of renewable natural gas.

In light of his experience, Bernhard Rubbert is collaborating with Climate Smart to share his story and had this to say, “Imagine the impact, both economically and on the environment, if all the body shops in the Lower Mainland knew the benefits of buying a high-efficiency compressor, and if more financial incentives could be directed to help them make the switch.”

Case study
Overall Impact

• projected $2,600 in annual savings from electrical costs

• 30% annual reduction: 324 KG CO2e and 25,896 kWh

Solution

• replacement of aging compressor
  

Payback period

• projecting a four-year simple financial payback on their investment

This Case Study was produced by Climate Smart.