CONCORD FOOD CENTRE
Different Opportunites to Reduce Electricity Costs

Concord Food co-owner Joe Greco didn’t know what to expect when he signed up for an energy audit at his Thornhill store last summer. He wondered how much he would save if he invested in energy efficiency.

It wasn’t until he saw the results of the audit that he understood just how important it is to know the breakdown of energy use in your store – and then develop an energy plan that’s based on hard facts.

“Before the audit, I said I didn’t want night curtains because I didn’t think my employees would have time for it,” says Joe. “But after learning they could save me $3,400 a year – for a $3,400 one-time investment – I’m reconsidering.”

According to Director of Operations, Rina Virgilio, the energy audit has changed the way Concord looks at its operations. “Now that we’ve reviewed the recommendations, we’re looking more closely at our lighting and refrigeration systems. I was really surprised that air conditioning accounted for such a small percentage of our annual electricity use, but that refrigeration consumed almost 47 per cent of our total use.”

Lighting accounts for 13 per cent of Concord Food’s total energy costs, while refrigeration consumes approximately 47 per cent. It costs nothing to turn off lights when the store is closed and to keep refrigerator coils clean, vents clear of product and doors closed.

Energy audits are a good way to identify where your store can save money on electricity. Some of the options that Concord Food Centre is considering include:

• Floating-head pressure controls on compressors that allow the head pressure to change according to outside conditions.
Annual savings: $3,700

• Controls for convenience coolers.
Annual savings: $400

• Warehouse and office occupancy sensors.
Annual savings: $2,000

• Heat recovery system on ventilation equipment.
Annual savings: $11,200

• Air conditioning units with high latent heat capability will dehumidify the air, thereby reducing refrigeration loads. These units can be installed in conjunction with controls for anti-sweat heaters on glass doors and for on-demand defrost cycles.
Annual savings: $3,500

“We were surprised to see how many different opportunities there are to reduce our electricity costs,” says Rina. “It’s definitely food for thought. In addition to seeing how much we could have saved on lights, we now understand the impact of refrigeration on our electricity bill.”

Would Joe have done an energy audit first, before he installed new refrigeration equipment last year? “You bet. I now believe that I could have made different choices. From now on, we’re setting goals, monitoring our results and managing accordingly.

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