Grocery stores in the U.S. spend an average of $3.95 on electricity per sq. ft annually. In a typical grocery store, refrigeration and lighting represent between 77% – 92% of total energy use, making these systems the best targets for energy savings.
Although energy only represents about 5% of total grocery store costs, it is about equal to a typical grocery’s profit margin. Therefore, a 10% reduction in energy costs can mean a 10% increase in profits! Solar Systems, LED and Lighting Controls, and Solar Water Heaters are excellent solutions to Grocery Stores Energy Bills dilemma; However, First Energy Systems also recommends implementing the following top 5 solutions to achieve maximum Energy Efficiency and increase Supermarkets and Grocery Stores’ bottom line:
1) Energy Saver device
FES Energy Savers reduce your electric consumption by reducing wasted energy from inductive loads (Air Conditions, Refrigerators, Motors, Fans, and more). Potential saving up to 30%. Expected Payback is 2 years.
2) Anti-Sweat Controls
“Anti-Sweat Devices” are usually installed on cooler doors glass and help to prevent them from fogging up anytime a customer opens a door to grab merchandise. While they are normally run 24 hours a day, they don’t have to. Installing proper “Anti-Sweat Heat Controls” will reduce the energy used by a whopping 80%-90% without sacrificing performance. Expected Payback is 1.5 years. A local utility rebate is available in some areas.
3) Variable Frequency Drives
Currently, your store’s walk-in cooler motors and fans run 100% of the time. They never stop running regardless of the temperature in your walk-in cooler. Installing a Motor Controller “Variable Frequency Drives”, will allow for your motors and fans to essentially go in a “sleep mode” and consume up to 92% less electricity when the walk-in cooler reaches the desired temperature. These motor controls will adjust your ECM motors to run at low speed when running at the desired temperature while using 80% less energy when doing so. Energy savings can be an amazing 50% – 60% and expected payback is 2 years. A local utility rebate is available in some areas.
4) ECM Motors & Evaporative Fan Controllers
Currently, your store’s walk-in cooler motors and fans run 100% of the time. They never stop running regardless of the temperature in your walk-in cooler. These motor controls will adjust your ECM motors to run at low speed when running at the desired temperature while using 80% less energy when doing so. The savings can be tremendous! Converting “Shaded Pole” (SP) or “Permanent Split Capacitor” (PSC) motors to ECM motors and installing Evaporation fan controllers can provide combined energy savings of up to 75%. Expected payback is 1.5 years. A local utility rebate is available in some areas.
5) Night Curtains
Installing night curtains will reduce cooling waste during closed business hours. Potential saving up to 50%. Expected Payback is 2 years.
