As professionals in the HVACR business, it is important to continually review the EPA and DOE legislation with our customers, and this is especially true for our convenience store owners. We are currently seeing a significant impact on the independent convenience store owner, who, for example, may have 20-year old equipment with an R22 refrigerant charge currently selling for approximately $35/pound apposed to some of the alternative refrigerants selling for one-third of that price. We realize it is an ongoing task for the EPA to mandate environmentally friendly refrigerants so such changes must be made. Still, this presents some obstacles; for example, R404a, the refrigerant we have been using for the past five years, is beginning to be phased out similar to what is currently happening with R22 but it’s important to keep in mind, there are other options. This is when SCR should be involved, providing our expertise to save you money. We as a company have an abundance of information that speculates what will happen next with both the EPA and the DOE, and this knowledge could be valuable as the convenience store owner works to meet new regulations as effectively and affordably as possible.
As the Department of Energy attempts to flex their new regulations, the cost of doing business will inevitably increase. For example, the glass door industry may be forced to drive their energy consumption down. This will make it harder for the store owner to keep condensation from forming on the glass doors and door frames. While we are certainly not anti-environment, it is important to make the consumer and tax payer aware of the cost and implications of this legislation. The good news, though, is this: for the customer who is building or remodeling these products, new legislation will actually reduce energy bills.
While we are always staying informed on new regulations, we are also thinking about the next weather season and how that will affect stores. There are some things you can do to increase your chances of having a trouble-free summer season. First, have your refrigeration and air conditioning equipment maintained; this may include cleaning coils, changing air filters or checking for refrigerant leaks. Preventive maintenance contracts have been found to not only save energy, but also reduce break downs and extend the life cycle of your equipment.
Another money-saving suggestion: if you are considering a remodel or new build, have the building’s HVAC system evaluated for proper size and operation. The humidity on or around the glass doors with reduced frame and glass heat due to the new DOE regulations will only become more difficult to prevent condensation from forming which will obviously have a negative impact on sales. This issue is controlled by proper air conditioning size and operation. The positive note on the reduced energy products, like energy-free glass or LED lighting, is that in many instances, the power company will rebate these products, assisting in your investment.
Finally, we recently attended a national food service equipment show and there are exciting new technologies moving to the forefront of the industry. We will have all this information and these resources at the Minnesota / Iowa Petroleum Marketers Show and the Cenex Buys Fair.
SCR is a full design, sales, and mechanical resource that can help you with service, service contracts, and new refrigeration or food service equipment solutions. Your contacts, Todd or Jason, can be reached at 1 800-827-1642. We encourage you to stop by and discuss any concerns or new projects you may have coming.
