Reducing stores’ environmental impact
Reducing stores’ environmental impact
Our regional store engineering departments are constantly seeking ways to minimize the environmental impact of our stores. We are regularly reviewing and evaluating new energy efficient, environmentally sensitive technology and, once the technology proves to be energy efficient and cost effective in our environments, it is implemented. Some of the many initiatives that have already been implemented include:
- Replacing open multi-deck freezers and coolers with closed door units that significantly reduce the volume of air that escapes. Open freezers and coolers permit cold air to escape into the building, increasing the demand on the refrigeration system and the burden on the heating systems to maintain a comfortable store climate for our staff and customers. The use of closed door units results in energy savings of approximately 50% per freezer/cooler.
- Re-commissioning stores’ refrigeration systems to ensure they are working at optimum efficiency. Over time, a system’s settings deviate from their original set points. Re-commissioning is a process of restoring the equipment to the manufacturer’s original set points. This reduces equipment downtime, maintenance expenditures, energy consumption and refrigerant leak risks. The actual savings achieved by re-commissioning varies from store to store.
- Installation of heat reclaim systems that allow us to use refrigeration generated waste heat to warm other areas of the stores.
- Installing motion-activated lighting in various areas of our stores, which can significantly reduce energy consumption, particularly in low traffic areas.
- Installing LED lighting in freezer cases and store signage. LED lighting is up to 90% more energy-efficient than conventional lighting, generates less heat and has a much longer lifespan than conventional light sources. We continually look for new applications for these types of lights. Applications currently being evaluated include the use of LED lights in track lighting and restroom fixtures.
In addition to these initiatives, which are being implemented across the organization to varying degrees, the following is an overview of some of the many region-specific initiatives that are also being undertaken.
