Convenience Store Energy Solution

After conducting a comprehensive energy evaluation, our convenience store partner determined they needed to more effectively manage their energy consumption and the related assets, which represent the most significant portion of their operating costs. The Facility Managers knew they had some challenges but discovered during the evaluation that was more significant than they could have imagined. Their energy use, operational execution, and company policies were negatively affecting the 24/7 runtime of HVAC systems, lights, refrigeration, the ready-to-eat food service area, and the instore QSR. A multitude of uncovered issues had existed for months or even years before the evaluation. H VAC Their HVAC infrastructure was not being managed. The units had no temperature adjustment limits or setback controls. Often this resulted in units literally freezing, and while defrosting, the overflowing drip pans caused substantial damage to building rooftops, ceilings, flooring, fixtures, and merchandise. Many of the multi-stage systems were actually wired to operate in the second stage only. Several rooftop units were simply not functioning correctly. They identified extensive waste in operating and on-demand power, prompting the need for an automated system and upgrading existing equipment. MAINTAINING FOOD TEMPERATURES When refrigeration and freezers fail, or as is frequently the case, the doors are simply left open; the financial burden can be significant. In the most extreme case, all consumable products are discarded, resulting in thousands of dollars in revenue and profit loss. Similarly, when a ready-to-eat foodservice warming tray temperature is not maintained, the store incurs not only product loss, but the additional risk of guests contracting a foodborne illness. Finally, employees often inappropriately leave the equipment on during non-peak hours, adding to already high energy costs to a 24-hour location. Entouch can monitor usage and monitor temperature settings. In commercial buildings, at 44% of total energy, HVAC typically represents the most significant single source of energy consumption. Convenience stores have significantly more infrastructure, and our client also needed the energy consumption monitored on fuel pumps, open-air and closed refrigeration coolers, ice freezers, ice coolers, food service warming tables, and lighting controls. LIGHTING Lighting is a concern for convenience stores for several critical business reasons. A well-lit store signals to customers the location is both open and safe. Ensuring that signage and canopy lighting is illuminated is vital to communicate these messages to passing customers. It is imperative to ensure the store's lighting can be programmed to be on at dusk and off at dawn so that the right balance between being inviting and minimizing total energy cost is achieved. FUEL IS STILL THE LIFEBLOOD Our convenience store partner depended on fuel sales for approximately 80% of their revenue and foot traffic. If fuel pumps are not operating, the site will experience a drastic decline in revenue inside the store and negative customer experience. It was apparent our client needed a holistic energy savings partner with a proven implementation track record that included: Best-in-Class Equipment. Eliminating the need for multiple manufacturers while evaluating equipment durability and value. This would reduce any future warranty claims, increase productivity, and better manage valuable company time. Installation and Retrofitting of Equipment. Each system might require a different installation skillset. They were confident they needed trained and qualified technicians with a track record of installing hundreds or thousands of sites with exceptional quality, on time, and budget. Enterprise-level View. With hundreds of locations, the centralized cloud-based view of their operations and equipment would be critical. The team was underresourced and over-burdened. They needed automated fault detection to identify underperforming sites and assets so that they could target their scarce resources. Optimization. Once our convenience store customer had control of their operating environment, they understood that monitoring and optimizing the performance of the assets and obtaining verifiable results would drive the best return on their investment and would be critical to their executive team.