Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ encourages adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the development and use of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria.

LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health:

1. Sustainable site development
2. Water savings
3. Energy efficiency
4. Materials selection
5. Indoor environmental quality

According to Facts About Store Development 2007

• LEED is relatively new (2003) and not designed with food retailers in mind
• The industry is gradually moving towards LEED stores
• 8% currently have a LEED-certified store
• 20% are planning on building one in the next five years
• 37.5% of retailers pursue green building without official certification because LEED takes up resources (time and money)

Is your store considering new construction or major renovations under LEED certification? Source can help you meet LEED’s criteria for energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. Contact us to learn more.

ENERGY STAR

"Of one thing we can be sure: energy will be more challenging and more important in the future. Will you, and your business, be ready?”
— Peter Schwartz, Chairman,
Global Business Network

In the fall of 2001, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its first set of Energy Star Regulations for all commercial refrigerators and freezers. ENERGY STAR established the first test guideline for determining daily energy consumption, using ASHRAE 117-1992 as the methodology.

According the to the ENERGY STAR website, a 10% reduction in energy costs for the average supermarket can boost net profit margins by as much as 16% and sales per square foot by $44.

ENERGY STAR strategy

The EPA offers a proven strategy for advanced energy management, and provides the tools and resources to help you each step of the way. Following this strategy can help your store improve its energy and financial performance, while promoting you as an environmental and sustainability leader in your community.

There are seven steps to the strategy:

1. Make Commitment
2. Assess Performance
3. Set Goals
4. Create Action Plan
5. Implement Action Plan
6. Evaluate Progress
7. Recognize Achievements

ENERGY STAR partners agree to:

• Adopt the ENERGY STAR strategy
• Measure, track and benchmark energy performance
• Develop and implement a plan to improve energy performance
• Educate staff and the public about your partnership and achievements
  with ENERGY STAR

Want to become an ENERGY STAR partner, but need help getting started? Source can help you understand the strategy and provide a refrigerant management plan that will help you operate more sustainably.

Government Energy Initiatives

Government energy initiatives are rapidly changing, and it’s important you are aware of the regulations that affect your business. Source can provide you with the expertise and services you need to meet or exceed the standards set by these initiatives.

The Clean Air Act

The Clean Air Act is the law that defines EPA's responsibilities for protecting and improving the nation's air quality and ozone layer. Section 608 of The Clean Air Act established record keeping requirements and maximum leak rates for storeowners and operators.

2005 Energy Policy Act

On August 8, 2005, President Bush signed into law the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which included the ARI and ACEEE recommendations for reach-in refrigerator and freezer consumption.

This law is designed to reduce peak power needs by an estimated 8,000 megawatts by 2020 – the equivalent to the output of 27 new power plants of 300 MW each.

2009 Clean Energy & Security Act (Proposed Legislation)

This comprehensive energy bill is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17% by 2020. The bill proposes a cap and trade system, under which the government sets a limit (cap) on the total amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted nationally.

Companies then buy or sell permits to emit these gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2). The legislation would set a cap on total emissions over the 2012–2050 period. Those entities that emit more gases face a higher cost, which provides an economic incentive to reduce emissions.

How will the Clean Energy & Security Act affect you?

This bill will impose a national building code for energy efficiency, with aggressive efficiency targets and short deadlines. All new commercial construction and major renovations would have to exceed existing model energy code standards (ASHRAE 90.1, version 2004) by 30% immediately, and 50% by 2015.

Want to be prepared in case this bill passes? Source has the expertise to prepare your store with an energy efficiency plan that will meet or exceed these requirements. Contact Source for a consultation today.

Retailer Energy Alliance (REA)

The US Department of Energy (DOE) introduced the Retailer Energy Alliance (REA) in February 2008. The REA aims to identify new or underused energy efficiency technologies that have significant potential for energy savings and to select the most promising of these technologies for technology procurement projects.

Under the REA, all aspects of energy use are on the table. Effective engineering design AND efficient operation are emphasized.

Why should you join the Retailer Energy Alliance?

• Help shape an energy independent future for our nation
• Be seen as a sustainability leader in your community
• Reduce your carbon footprint and benefit the environment
• Reduce energy costs to positively impact your bottom line

REA Member Requirements

While voluntary, adhering to the REA member requirements will help your store achieve sustainability. A few of these requirements are:

• Participate in two REA meetings per year to establish objectives and direction
• Participate in at least one subcommittee of interest
• Help establish retail building performance benchmarks by gathering and sharing your energy, equipment and building data
• Share your best energy efficiency practices in building design, operation and maintenance
• Offer your input on future equipment purchases for new construction and retrofits
• Participate in scheduled equipment tests to determine real-world performance

Want to become a Retailer Energy Alliance (REA) member, but need some guidance? Source Refrigeration is well positioned to help you meet the REA member requirements. Contact Source to learn more.