Although some estimates are as much as 20 million Btu to melt and cast one ton of saleable iron castings, a more typical estimate is 13 to 15 million Btu per ton. [Stevenson 1995] In recent years the industry has actively sought ways to become more energy-efficient in order to remain competitive. The industry has made significant progress in this effort by developing and adopting more efficient equipment and by making changes in some of its processes. [DOE 1999] The chart below, which gives additional measures for metalcasting energy intensity, also illustrates the general downward trend of this measure over time.

As the available energy consumption data for "metalcasting" over the period from 1985 to 1998 draws from different sets of industries and often is not disaggregated, similarly, in different years, an energy intensity chart is not included here.

Source: MECS 1985, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1998

* SIC 33 (All primary metals industry)
** SIC 3321 (Gray and ductile iron foundries)
*** NAICS 331511 (Iron foundries)

Energy Purchases for Heat and Power 1992 - 2001
(Percent of Shipments)

Source: DOC 1993, 1996, 2001