Refrigeration accounts for over 40 percent of total energy use in the average supermarket, making these systems the best places to start looking for energy efficiency opportunities. Especially since the profit margins of supermarkets are so thin, on the order of 1 percent, ENERGY STAR estimates that one dollar in energy savings is equivalent to increasing sales by $59!
The amount of energy used by refrigeration in a grocery store can vary significantly depending on the size of the store, the efficiency of the refrigeration equipment, and the amount of refrigerated products being stored.
Some estimates of the energy use of grocery store refrigeration systems include:
A small grocery store (less than 5,000 square feet) may use around 50,000 to 70,000 kWh of electricity per year for refrigeration. Based on prevailing utility rates, this much consumption translates to $8k to $12k per year. This is also roughly equal to the environmental impact caused by burning 2,500 to 3,500 gallons of gasoline.
A medium-sized grocery store (5,000 to 20,000 square feet) may use around 70,000 to 200,000 kWh of electricity per year for refrigeration, costing businesses ~$12k to $33k and causing environmental impact thats comparable to the burning of 3,500 to 10,000 gallons of gasoline.
A large grocery store (over 20,000 square feet) may use over 200,000 kWh of electricity per year for refrigeration.
There are several ways that grocery stores can reduce their energy use from refrigeration, including:
Upgrading to more energy-efficient refrigeration equipment: Replacing older, less efficient refrigeration equipment with newer, more efficient models can significantly reduce energy use.
Optimizing refrigeration system settings: Properly setting and maintaining refrigeration equipment can help to reduce energy use by ensuring that the equipment is running at optimal levels.
Improving refrigeration system maintenance: Regularly maintaining refrigeration equipment can help to keep it running efficiently and reduce energy use.
Using low-energy refrigeration technologies: Some newer refrigeration technologies, such as natural refrigerants and advanced refrigeration controls, can help to reduce energy use.
By implementing these and other energy-saving strategies, grocery stores can significantly reduce their energy use from refrigeration and save money on energy costs.
Monaire can help you consider all of the above options and reduce your grocery store's refrigeration energy use through its advanced, AI-powered monitoring and maintenance systems.
