Walgreens

The Customer: Walgreens

Walgreens is a century-old retail pharmacy chain that is known for its innovation and pioneering use of new technology for expanding its business and servicing its customers. As of 2005, they operate almost 5,000 stores and plan to reach 7,000 stores by 2010.

Ambitious growth requires careful management of underlying operating costs such as electricity consumption for air conditioning stores with refrigerated dairy cases and freezers. With rising energy costs, actively reducing energy consumption is critical.

The Challenge:

Working with New England Energy Management, Inc., specialists in the field of energy management, Walgreens decided on a pilot test at a retail store located in Bethpage, New York.

Facility: Retail Store.

Location: New York City.

The Products Used:

IntelliCon®-RU - Commercial Refrigeration Electrical Economizer
IntelliCon®-CAC - Commercial Air Conditioner Electrical Economizer

A single IntelliCon-RU was installed on two (2) different commercial refrigeration systems. This unit simultaneously managed one (1) Master-Bilt Open Display Case (Dairy) and one (1) Master-Bilt Glass Door Reach-In Freezer (Frozen Foods).

Four (4) IntelliCon-CAC controls were installed on two (2), 12-ton Carrier Packaged Rooftop Units, one (1) 10-ton Carrier Packaged Rooftop Unit and one (1) 4-ton Carrier Packaged Rooftop Unit.

Both systems were operated around the clock at the Bethpage, New York retail store for the 14-day test period during September.

The Results:

Energy Savings: In all cases, the IntelliCon controls provided tangible energy savings with no change to the maintained temperatures in the store, the display case and the freezer as confirmed by store employees.

Payback Period: Conservatively, Walgreens expected overall payback period for this store is less than 12 months, based strictly on energy cost savings alone, using an energy cost of $.10 per KWH. The likely payback period will be shorter when including savings derived from reduced “Peak Electrical Demand Charges” and lower maintenance costs.

Final Notes: The pilot test was not conducted during the peak cooling season, but in early autumn. Greater air conditioning savings would likely result during the peak summer months when system load and outside temperatures are significantly higher.