Draeger’s Markets, a gourmet retailer with four locations in the San Francisco Bay Area, saved more than $126,000 through an initiative with EnergySmart Grocer and Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) including approximately $70,000 in measure rebates.
“Working with EnergySmart Grocer simplifies what would be a very arduous process,” says Richard Draeger, owner of Draeger’s Markets. Drager’s is The Gourmet Retailer’s Kitchenware Retailer of the Year for 2010 and the 2010-2011 U.S. Global Innovator Awards (gia) winner. “EnergySmart Grocer does all the work for you. Our project exceeded our payback analysis. Of all the things you could invest in these days (as grocers), energy efficiency by far can give you the best payback.”
Over an eight-month period, Draeger’s completed several phases of its on-going energy efficiency retrofit plan. Measures implemented included anti-sweat heat controls, highly efficient motors in refrigerated cases and walk-ins, floating head and floating suction pressure controls, lighting retrofits, and occupancy sensors. Combined, the energy efficiency improvements created a projected annual savings of $126,720 and 974,763 kWh, generating a 10 to 12.25 percent reduction in average daily kWh usage chainwide.
A no-cost energy audit performed by EnergySmart Grocer, a program funded by PG&E providing customized energy solutions tailored to grocery stores, revealed the opportunity to retrofit systems and upgrade technologies.
The grocer explored various available energy technologies before discovering the benefits of pursuing high-efficiency retrofits through EnergySmart Grocer. Thanks to the program’s rebates, which offset the upfront cost by $71,392.50, Draeger’s implemented the recommended upgrades at a low initial investment, increasing the overall value of the project. Rebates provided by the program shorten the payback period while increasing return on investment, allowing grocers to adopt new energy efficient technology at an affordable price.
“Customers appreciate anything we do to be more environmentally sensitive,” adds Draeger. “In terms of reducing our carbon footprint, working with EnergySmart Grocer is by far the most significant thing we’ve done.”
With stores in Menlo Park, Los Altos, San Mateo and Danville, Draeger’s Markets is renowned for its wide selection of fresh produce, international foods, fines wines and local artisan products. Founded in 1925, Draeger’s is consistently recognized as one of the finest markets in the region. Draeger’s is a recent recipient of Wine Spectator’s as National Retailer of the Year for Wine and Spirits.
