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As industries implement more sustainable operations and technologies, it’s time for grocers to develop strategic sustainability plans to cut back on carbon emissions. A McKinsey & Company report on Grocers’ Sustainability Opportunity in Transforming the Food System claims the food system is responsible for 34 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. While grocers can’t control all the sources of waste across the entire supply chain, they are looking for ways to decarbonize their operations. Developing strategies to decrease carbon emissions is vital for the environment, but it will also help grocers reduce utility expenditures and address shrinking margins, improving profitability.
To operate more sustainably, grocery stores and supermarket retailers can take steps to reduce their environmental impact and promote energy efficiency:
The biggest opportunity for energy efficiency is the reduction of energy consumed by refrigeration and lighting, the biggest drivers of energy consumption, accounting for 50% of total energy use in the average supermarket. An ENERGY STAR report states that the average grocery store spends $200,000+ per year in energy costs, mostly in coolers, freezers, and lighting. Retail grocery store owners looking to improve financial performance while enacting sustainability measures are investing in energy-efficient refrigerated display cases, walk-ins, coolers, and freezers.
According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the US Department of Energy, refrigerated display cases are energy-intense critical equipment that could be leveraged for demand reduction. Shifting to high-efficiency display cases is essential to reducing energy demand. Manufacturers of refrigerated display cases are challenged to design more energy-efficient equipment.
One of the most energy draining functions of a refrigerated case is the removal of condensate through electric evaporation. The simple process of using an electric heating element to boil and evaporate the condensate liquid is not the most energy efficient removal strategy. Annual costs can run into thousands of dollars depending on the size of the heating element and the amount of condensate produced. While some manufacturers may view evaporative trays as a way to eliminate the need for drainage and reduce condensation issues, modern condensate pumps with smart technologies solve these problems more efficiently.
A 1KW evaporator tray has a typical evaporation rate of only 8 gallons/day. The cost of running a tray of this size is estimated at $4.53/day or $1,653/year. Based on the same calculations removing 20 gal/day using a 3KW evaporator tray can cost nearly $5,000 a year. In comparison to a smart condensate pump removing 8 gal/day at only 50 cents a day, a staggering 90% reduction in energy costs is realized compared to a 1KW evaporator tray.
Using evaporation methods can come with hidden costs. If the heat source sits below the refrigeration cabinet, keeping the cabinet temperature low could be expensive. Furthermore, the evaporated liquid can result in increased humidity, leading to higher AC running costs. Grocery and supermarket retailers should not overlook these potential expenses when using evaporation to remove condensate.
Smart condensate pumps built with AI technology are the answer to energy-efficient condensate removal, giving refrigerated display case manufacturers the technology needed to design energy-efficient equipment and grocers the ability to reduce energy consumption. Hartell, a US-based manufacturer of high-quality condensate pumps for over 60 years, now offers a slim “Ultra Low Profile” smart condensate pump designed to save thousands of dollars in energy and maintenance costs associated with efficient operation of refrigeration display cases. With a maximum height of only 2.5”, refrigerated display case manufacturers can easily integrate it into their designs while refrigeration repair technicians can retrofit it into existing units. The pump’s slim design and ease of maintenance, thanks to proactive alerts and self-diagnostics, increase safety, decrease hazards, and prevent water damage and downtime.
Easy-to-use, self-monitoring technologies alleviate maintenance teams’ time and resource constraints, and this is especially important in the grocery environment where occupant safety and food safety are paramount. Hartell's ultra-slim profile condensate pump comes with state-of-the-art proactive alarm technology that uses AI to learn the installation environment and monitor pump performance. Six independent alarms and a built-in maintenance monitor ensure a long working life and prevent liquid spillage and potential slip and fall incidents. The system comes with an audible-visual indicator for instant fault diagnosis and a fail-to-safe BMS interface as standard, with an optional remote LED indicator that can be installed on the refrigeration equipment to provide instant diagnostics to the site/maintenance manager.
Manufacturers of refrigerated display cases can play a big role by designing energy-friendly equipment by integrating new technologies. Grocers working toward energy efficiency and cost savings can replace outdated, energy-hungry condensation removal components and save up to 90% in energy costs.
Hartell’s ultra low-profile condensate pumps are a smart investment for businesses looking to meet sustainability goals, reduce energy costs, increase safety, and maintain optimal refrigerated display case equipment performance.
Contact Hartell today to make your refrigeration system safer and less costly.