Retail Energy Management Initiatives Reap Dividends
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by: DanielStouffer | Total views: 62 | Word Count: 505
The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 has caused storeowners to focus on retail energy management. The bill, being proposed by the U.S. Congress, dictates improved energy efficiency and calls for a reduction in carbon emissions, a cap and trade program for certain industries, and proposes that renewable energy sources account for 25% of all energy used by the year 2020. Energy 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.
Intricate regulations cover refrigerant gas emission, as commonly found in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems or commercial refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. A large number of businesses are coming to terms with these regulations, and now a new set of energy efficiency requirements are tabled as well. Energy management programs are coming to the fore, as these 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.
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.
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.
Retail energy management tracks a buildings energy use and is a valuable way to see your enterprises entire energy portfolio, regardless of the number and location of sites. It is best utilized with Energy Star rated equipment and an automated program that provides key information about past and real time energy use, areas of opportunity to better manage energy use, and benchmarking goals and comparisons.
Retail energy management creates a comprehensive energy saving operation for one or multiple retail locations. It is particularly beneficial for any size and type of facility with a HVAC, extensive lighting, or refrigeration units installed. By controlling energy use, you can optimize the efficiency of equipment and other operational assets and significantly reduce operational costs.
About the Author
Daniel Stouffer has a lot of information on the need for retail energy managementand how the refrigerant-tracker can be of use to you.
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