Groceries/Convenience Stores

Groceries and convenience stores have higher energy costs than many other small businesses due to their substantial use of refrigeration.

Before making any improvements to a convenience store or grocery you should determine how your building compares to other similar buildings. Calculate the total amount of kilowatt-hours of energy you used in the past year (from your electric bills) and divide it by the number of square feet in your business. The national average kWh/sq. feet/year is about 52.5. If your number is much higher than this you should make the building more energy efficient.

Refrigeration is the number one component of energy usage for groceries. Here are a few simple no and low-cost strategies to reduce refrigeration usage:

• Ensure door seals are tight.
• Check temperature settings (freezers, between -14 to - 8 degrees Fahrenheit, refrigerators, 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Clean cooling coils regularly (dirt blocks proper heat transfer)
• Install glass doors on open-air freezer cases. A freezer with doors will have to run much less than one which loses its cold to the open air.

For more details on these refrigeration tips, read the refrigeration section of this guide.

Groceries and convenience stores can also benefit from lighting improvements. Read the lighting section for more information.