Guide looks for 50% supermarket energy cuts
A new design guide for convenience stores and supermarkets provides recommendations to achieve 50% energy savings when compared with minimum US code requirements.
While the guide applies to US grocery stores with gross floor areas between 25,000 and 65,000ft², many of the recommendations may also be applied to smaller or larger grocery stores.
Today’s stores often include a wide range of prepared food services and expanded fresh food products, which creates unique challenges in the design process due to the needed balance between refrigeration, food service and HVAC systems. “When coupled with the need to create an inviting environment and positive shopping experience for customers, energy efficiency may get overlooked,” say the authors of the report, but argue that “an energy efficient grocery store design adds value, reduces expenses and enhances the customer shopping experience.”