Retail Energy Management Initiatives Reap Dividends
A bill being proposed by the U.S. Congress has caused storeowners to focus on retail energy management when it comes to improving their energy efficiency. The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 call for a cap and trade program in certain industries, the reduction in carbon emissions as well as a proposal to depend on renewable energy sources for as much as 25% of energy used by the year 2020. Efficiency standards are set for a large number of companies.
Scientific research has shown us that certain utility processes, including production of heating oil, electricity and other fuels, cause greenhouse gas emission which has significant adverse potential when it comes to climate change. The US government and other governments around the world are considering mandatory retail and energy management dictates to address this global warming issue.
There are very intricate regulations when it comes to carbon emissions, as many businesses are finding. These regulations cover refrigerant gas, which is commonly found in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems as well as commercial refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. The new set of energy efficiency requirements will be mandated on top of these regulations. To help these businesses, certain energy management programs can handle the tracking and reporting of emissions through an automated system.
Retail energy management uses smart technology to reduce utility usage and identify renewal energy sources. This helps to create a healthier environment by reducing greenhouse gases associated with energy use. For retailers, the benefits include a reduced carbon footprint, lower energy costs, the ability to obtain the best energy rates for their sites, and the opportunity to tap into local, state and national rebates and incentives.
Studies show that if an average supermarket reduces its energy consumption by 10%, it would realize a 16% increase in net profit margins. A service restaurant reducing energy use by 10% could see a 4% increase in net profit margins. The savings would quickly pay for the cost of asset management software used to identify, maintain, track and report the operational status of all equipment in use.
There are several steps to retail energy management. The first is to make a commitment to energy conservation, whether upgrading an existing facility or building new. For the next steps of assessing performance, setting goals, creating an action plan, implementing an action plan and evaluating progress, a comprehensive automated energy management program can quickly and easily provide the data needed.
A retail energy management program will track the energy use of a building and can help you to evaluate an energy portfolio, regardless of the number and location of sites that you have. Energy Star rated equipment is advised, and automated programs can tell you about past and real-time energy use, areas for improvement, benchmarked goals and comparisons.
A retail energy management program can create a comprehensive energy-saving initiative across one or multiple retail locations. Facilities that have refrigeration units, HVAC units, or extensive lighting, can all benefit. Operators will find that once energy use is controlled, the use of the equipment and operational assets can be optimized and daily costs can be significantly reduced.
Related posts:
Comments