Case Studies
An article by David Adrian in the May 29, 1986 News gave a synopsis of a survey taken by the Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI’s) Energy Committee. The committee questioned six supermarket chains on the usage of reach-in, multideck, and island refrigeration units. Clive Samuels presented the results of the survey at FMI’s annual convention and show that year.
The most energy efficient of the three types surveyed was the island case, drawing 4.1 kWh/ft/da, with 70% of the cost attributable to the refrigeration system, 15% to anticondensate heaters, 10% to defrost, and 5% to fans. Multi-decks were found to be the least efficient, drawing 9.4 kWh/ft/da, with 69% of the cost attributable to the refrigeration system, 15% to fans, 6% to anticondensate heaters, 6% to defrost, and 4% to lighting. Glass-door reach-ins drew 5.8 kWh/ft/da, with 44% of the cost attributable to the refrigeration system, 37% to anticondensate heaters, 9% to lighting, 7% to fans, and 3% to defrost, pointed out Samuels.