How Horizon Cannabis
Saved $240K in Year One
From struggling with high energy costs and crop loss to thriving with automated precision control—the complete transformation story.
About Horizon Cannabis
Horizon Cannabis operates a 25,000 sq ft indoor cultivation facility in Colorado, producing high-quality flower for both medical and recreational markets.
As a mid-sized cultivator competing against larger MSOs, Horizon needed to optimize operations to remain profitable in an increasingly competitive market.
The Challenge
Crushing Energy Costs
Paying $45K/month in electricity with Colorado's high commercial rates. Energy costs were consuming 42% of revenue.
Inconsistent Yields
Losing 8% of every harvest to environmental failures—mold, humidity spikes, and temperature swings. $180K annual loss.
Labor Intensive
4 full-time employees dedicated to monitoring and manual adjustments. High costs for reactive problem-solving.
"We were running on gut feeling and manual adjustments. Every day was firefighting—chasing humidity spikes, adjusting HVAC, losing sleep over whether the night shift caught problems in time. It wasn't sustainable."
The IOGRU Solution
Phase 1: Climate Control Automation
Implemented VPD-based climate control across all 8 flowering rooms and 2 vegetative zones. Integrated with existing HVAC (4x Surna chillers) and dehumidification (Quest 876 units).
Phase 2: Lighting & Energy Optimization
Integrated 160 Fluence SPYDR 2i fixtures with 0-10V dimming control. Implemented demand response integration with local utility.
Phase 3: Irrigation Automation
Deployed TEROS-12 sensors across all zones for substrate moisture, EC, and temperature monitoring. Automated fertigation based on real-time plant needs.
The Results
Financial Impact
Operational Improvements
"IOGRU transformed our operation from reactive to proactive. We're not chasing problems anymore—we're preventing them. The system paid for itself in 8 months, and now we're saving over $40K per month. Best investment we've ever made."
Implementation Timeline
Site Survey & Design
IOGRU team conducted comprehensive facility audit, documented existing equipment, and designed integration plan.
Hardware Installation
Installed controllers, sensors, and network infrastructure. Integrated with all existing equipment without downtime.
System Configuration & Training
Configured automation recipes, set up alerts, and trained staff on system operation and mobile app usage.
Optimization & Handoff
Fine-tuned setpoints based on observed performance, validated energy savings, and transitioned to ongoing support.