Supermarkets use a variety of energy sources to maintain quality control, display foods in the most appealing way and make them available for customers. The produce section is typically well-lit to help customers see the food in terms of the store’s general layout. This often results in different levels of the store’s lighting, heating, and cooling needs. Supermarkets also use a lot of energy for refrigeration purposes. It’s estimated that up to 50% of a supermarket’s total energy usage goes towards keeping products cold.
There are a few ways that supermarkets can improve their energy efficiency.
Retrofitting Open Refrigerated Display Cases With Glass Doors
One of the finest ways to make a supermarket more energy-efficient is to retrofit open display cases with glass doors. This change can have a great impact on energy use. Open display cases account for significant energy use in supermarkets, which require constant cooling to keep food fresh.
Adding glass doors reduces the need for constant cooling, as the doors help keep cool air in and warm air out. As a result, retrofitting open display cases with glass doors effectively reduces energy and saves money. In addition, glass doors can help reduce food waste, as they help keep food fresher for longer. As supermarkets seek ways to reduce their environmental impact, retrofitting open display cases with glass doors is a clear solution.
Night-Blinds
Night-blinds are an important tool in saving energy and keeping food fresh. By blocking out sunlight, they help keep supermarkets cooler, reducing the energy needed to maintain the correct temperature. In addition, night-blinds help reduce food spoilage rates by protecting it from ultraviolet light. Moreover, night-blinds can help maintain good hygiene in the supermarket by preventing mold and bacteria growth. This way, they play an essential role in ensuring that supermarkets can operate efficiently and effectively.
Smart Defrost Controllers
Today’s supermarkets are under constant pressure to reduce operating costs while still providing a high level of service. One best area where significant savings can be obtained is in the area of freezer defrosting. In the past, most supermarkets used manual defrost timers, which had to be manually set and reset regularly. However, these timers are subject to human error and can often lead to widespread refrigerator thawing and spoilage. Smart defrost controllers offer a more reliable and efficient solution.
By automatically adjusting the defrost cycle based on temperature and humidity levels, smart defrost controllers can help reduce energy costs by hundreds of dollars per year. In addition, they can help to extend the life of refrigeration units by preventing ice build-up and corrosion. As a result, smart defrost controllers offer a compelling solution for supermarkets looking to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
The Concluding Remarks
The supermarket is one of the most business energy-intensive businesses, with refrigeration accounting for a large portion of their overall consumption. There is a number of ways to save energy in supermarkets, from simple measures like turning off lights during daytime hours to more complex strategies like installing efficient cooling systems. In addition, supermarkets can take advantage of solar power and other renewable energy sources to further reduce their environmental footprint. The electricity provider you choose is crucial; for example, TXU offers both fixed-rate plans that lock in current electricity prices in Texas and make payments more predictable, and variable-rate plans that change from month to month and may be canceled at any time without penalty. TXU also provides fixed-rate agreements for a year or longer.