Bel-Garden Bi-Rite Grocery Store, Baltimore MD

A community institution needed some help:

The Bel-Garden Bi-Rite Grocery Store was experiencing energy costs substantially higher than the national average for grocery stores. In addition, high humidity was creating frost and condensation problems in several areas of the store. The owner of the store had spent a substantial amount of capital and resources trying to resolve the problem without seeing any results. Lastly, the owner had been approached by several vendors with energy saving technologies but didn’t know which technologies would result in the highest return on investment.

Testimonial:

Energy Efficient Technologies (EET) developed a strategic energy plan to help Bel-Garden reduce its energy costs.  “The strategic energy plan was like a blueprint for success.  Without the plan, we couldn’t decide where we should focus.”

Sandy Vary, Owner of Bel-Garden store

We figured it out:

Our Energy Efficient Technologies team performed a HOLISTIC assessment. This approach involved evaluating the energy consumption levels for every piece of equipment. Our team installed permanent monitoring devices on several large subsystems and tested all of the smaller subsystems to determine their electricity consumption. Our team was surprised to find that there were several energy-saving opportunities which cost nothing to deploy.

The data collected by the monitoring equipment allowed the team to prepare a thorough assessment of each system in the store. The systems were assessed based on current operating conditions versus potential energy savings if the equipment were modified or replaced. The ideal solution was to improve the system by changing the way it operates, and automating it to be turned on and off rather than replacing it.

Three steps and the problem was solved:

Two systems needed to be replaced. The lights in the store were outdated, and the store was substantially over lit. We recommended that the lighting be replaced with higher efficiency LED fixtures. In addition, we replaced the old HVAC unit with an Advantix liquid desiccant system.

The team deployed the Advantix system utilizing existing ductwork. After deployment, humidity in the store was immediately cut from 70% relative humidity to 35%.

There are three very substantial benefits to the installation of the Advantix system:

1. The Advantix system cut energy consumption by 18% versus a traditional DX cooling system.
2. Because humidity levels in the store were lowered, the thermostats could be raised 5 degrees, providing a more comfortable space while reducing 5% HVAC energy usage.
3. With reduced humidity levels, the door defrosters could be turned off.

Reduced energy consumption and more savings:

Overall, integrating the Advantix system into the building energy management system will save the store up to $35,000 a year in electricity costs. When combining the Advantix systems, along with other electricity reduction measures, the store reduced up to 35% and saved approximately $80,000 annually.

Other ECM's explored here:

• 4-year energy efficiency program
• 44% overall electricity bill savings
• HVAC/R Optimization (Now CryoGenX4)
• Humidity control
• Anti-sweat heater control- 200 Amps 24/7.
• Thermostat Mods
• Variable Speed Vent Hoods
• ECM motors in walkins.
• Walkin controller modifications
• Waste Heat Scavenging
• Destratification Fans