Online Exclusive: Hussmann on the (energy Conservation) Case
The average grocery store spends two-thirds of its electric bill on heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) and refrigeration, according to the energy-wise folks at Hussmann Corp.
To meet customer demand for innovative systems that optimize operational and energy efficiencies, the St. Louis-based company has launched a dozen concepts over the past two years that focus on five areas: superior merchandising, energy efficiency, food safety, longer shelf life and lower cost of ownership.
“Modern grocery stores are facing a number of tough challenges,” says Praveen Reddy, VP of global retail product management at Ingersoll Rand, Hussmann’s parent company. “Their equipment purchases have an impact on the environment as well as their bottom line. With every new solution we develop, we support the merchandising, sustainability and operational goals set by our customers.”
In an effort to address these challenges customers, Hussmann has launched solutions engineered to address customer feedback and offer performance improvements:
EcoShine LED Lights: For shelves and reach-in cases, these lights offer enhanced product visibility, evenly dispersed lighting and up to 65 percent energy savings over T8 fluorescent lighting. Optional motion dimmers can improve savings to as much as 83 percent
EcoVision: Without a center mullion, this French door design allows shoppers easy access and clear visibility of products. The door design also allows less heat into the case, contributing to energy savings of up to 65 percent
Isla: This system of island displays uses a modular design, allowing retailers flexibility in selecting from a number of display platforms to design their own custom merchandising islands
LifeLine Premier Series: Designed to attract shoppers’ attention, guide traffic and influence impulse purchases in frozen food departments, these reach-in cases combine new display case technologies that highlight profitable brands, creating a destination experience for shoppers
Microban Antimicrobial Protection: Multi-deck display cases and reach-ins treated with Microban reduce stain- and odor-causing bacteria on touch points. In addition to door handles, Hussmann shelving on multi-deck display cases is infused with Microban during manufacturing, helping to keep meat, produce and dairy cases in stores cleaner and fresher, and providing protection between cleanings
Protochill: An environmentally friendly distributed secondary system, Protochill requires less refrigerant charge, and provides better energy efficiency and lower construction costs
TerraChill: Using pumped liquid carbon dioxide as a secondary fluid in both low- and medium-temperature applications, TerraChill is a natural refrigerant solution that reduces the hydrofluorocarbon charge and features a lower carbon footprint than traditional central direct-expansion systems
Q Series: With rounded wedges, wide-open visibility of merchandise, and flexible materials, colors, shapes, sizes and accessories, these display cases add merchandising appeal to a wide variety of food products
XtraLife Meat Case: A patent-pending air shelf allows this multi-deck meat case to run at lower, more consistent temperatures. It also helps prevent freezing, reduce bacterial growth on meats, and keep meats red and fresh longer, while using up to 18 percent less energy than traditional configurations
Indeed, when it comes to stretching the electric bill dollars, Hussmann Corp. is clearly on the case.
For more about equipment, check out “Done to a Turn” by Bob Ingram, which discusses the latest models of rotisseries and high-performance ovens, in the August 2010 issue of Progressive Grocer.