Reduce Utility Bills With Retail Energy Management
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by: DanielStouffer | Total views: 69 | Word Count: 513
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.
Governments around the world are considering mandatory retail energy management standards, as they address global warming. Greenhouse gases are emitted during utility processes, including the production of electricity, heating oil and other fuels and this has significant adverse potential when it comes to causing climate change, according to scientific research.
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.
Successful retail energy management ensures that utility usage is reduced and renewable energy sources are identified through the use of smart technology. A healthier environment results, as greenhouse gases are reduced. Retailers see a reduced carbon foot print, the ability to obtain the best energy rates, low energy costs, and an open door when it comes to local, state and national rebates and incentives.
It has been shown that should an average service restaurant reduces its energy needs by 10%, it can enjoy a 4% increase in net profit margins. Likewise, an average supermarket could realize a 16% increase in net profit margins, if it should reduce its energy consumption by 10%. Smart retailers would use the savings to pay for the cost of asset management software, to help them identify, maintain, track and report their equipment.
When it comes to successful retail energy management, the first step is to make a commitment to conserve energy. This may be through upgrading an existing facility, or building a new one. Next, performance should be assessed, goals stated, an action plan created and implemented and progress evaluated. An automated and comprehensive energy management program should quickly and easily provide this data.
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.
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Daniel Stouffer has much more information on the need for retail energy managementand how the refrigerant-tracker can be of use to you.
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