Opening a new store is exciting.
Opening ten new stores at the same time? That’s a whole different game.
Every retail buildout has to juggle three things that rarely get along:
- Customer comfort
- Energy costs
- The project budget
Here’s the problem:
Most brands focus on one and neglect the other two. They go after the lowest cost equipment and then finance it every month on their utility bill for 15 years. Or they spend big bucks on sophisticated systems that their storage teams never figure out how to use.
Comfort, efficiency and budget don’t have to fight each other.
This manual will teach you how to properly size a retail multi-store heating system for energy efficiency and affordability.
Time to dive in!
What’s inside this guide:
- Why Heating Is The Biggest Line On The Bill
- Standardise First, Customise Second
- Choosing Energy Efficient Heating Systems
- Controls That Keep Every Store In Check
- Protecting The Budget After Opening Day
Why Heating Is The Biggest Line On The Bill
Heating is where most of the energy money goes in a store.
Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration indicates that space heating accounts for 24% of retail energy use in free-standing retail buildings. Lighting, cooling and refrigeration each have a smaller share than space heating.
Now multiply that across 20, 50 or 100 locations…
The numbers get serious, fast.
That’s why installation of the heating plan should happen up front, instead of being an afterthought at the end of the design process. Scheduling your trusted HVAC services during design allows each energy efficient heating system to be sized to the actual store footprint, local weather and hours of operation. If the heating load isn’t calculated correctly then even a high-efficiency system will lose you money. An oversized furnace will short-cycle, while one that’s too small will run constantly.
Energy costs can average between 4% to 9% of total store operating expenses. Doesn’t sound like much does it? Think again. Every dollar saved is a dollar to the bottom line.
Standardise First, Customise Second
Multi-location buildouts live or die on consistency.
When each store gets a different heating setup, retailers end up with:
- Different spare parts
- Different service schedules
- Different problems nobody can track
The fix is simple: create one standard equipment package for every store.
Select one or two sanctioned heaters, a control system and set of engineering specifications. Standardize.
But here’s the thing…
A store in Minnesota requires less heating capacity than a store in Georgia. Standardize the brand, controls and installation specifications — just vary the size by climate region.
Streamlines purchasing power with vendors, quicker installs and simplified training for your store employees. Makes analytics between stores simple down the road.
Choosing Energy Efficient Heating Systems
The vast majority of retail buildings already use rooftop packaged units as their standard equipment. Packaged heating units are found in nearly 70% of all mercantile buildings throughout the US.
The question most often isn’t what kind of system to buy. It’s how efficient that system needs to be.
Here’s what to look for when comparing energy efficient heating systems:
- Favor high-efficiency models: Choose gas furnace sections with high thermal efficiency ratings, or heat pump units with high heating performance ratings.
- Variable-speed fans and motors: Adjust their speed to meet demand rather than running at full speed constantly.
- Heat pump options: Heat pumps can serve most of the heating load in mild and moderate climates using less energy than legacy systems.
- Economisers: Bring in outside air when possible, reducing mechanical heating and cooling.
Yes, higher efficiency costs more upfront.
But think about it like this…
A store operates their heating for years. Small monthly savings multiply across every store, every winter. Most of the time, the incremental spend pays for itself well before the units need replacing.
Sellside advice? Compare lifecycle costs, not just the purchase price.
Controls That Keep Every Store In Check
Here’s something most retailers overlook…
Even the highest efficiency heating equipment is wasting energy if no one is managing it. HVAC can consume as much as 45% of the energy used in an average retail store. Little control errors add up.
The usual suspects are:
- Heating running all night when the store is closed
- Thermostats cranked up by staff
- Front doors propped open in winter
One of the primary advantages of a central building management system corrects for much of this. Thermostat schedules for each store can be controlled from a single portal. Thermostats are programmed to lock to an acceptable range. Plus notifications are triggered if a store is exceeding their typical energy usage.
Pretty cool, right?
It also allows them to identify the “problem store” faster. If one store is burning through significantly more energy than comparable stores, there’s an issue — a malfunctioning unit, a broken sensor or a door that won’t seal.
Comfort Still Matters (A Lot)
Don’t forget the customer.
Retail therapy lasts longer when the temperature is just right. If it’s too warm, customers flee. If it’s too cool, they won’t try on clothing.
Proper comfort is achieved by uniform heat distribution throughout the sales floor, installation of air curtains or vestibules at high traffic entrances and separation of stockrooms, offices and fitting rooms.
Zoning is a big one.
Cooling needs for a back-of-house stockroom don’t need to match that of the sales floor area. Separating these spaces creates happier customers and reduces unnecessary heat loss in unseen areas.
Protecting The Budget After Opening Day
The buildout budget doesn’t end when the doors open.
Where many retailers fall short. Months go into planning the install… then they neglect the system after its up and running.
Don’t make that mistake.
Commissioning – making sure every system actually works as designed – is one of the lowest-hanging fruit out there. Done right, commissioning can save 10% to 15% of facility energy costs.
After commissioning, set up a simple maintenance plan for every location:
- Replace filters on a fixed schedule
- Check burners, coils and belts before each heating season
- Review energy data every month
- Fix the outliers fast
Easy peasy, right? Little behaviors like this ensure energy efficient heating systems operate at optimum capacity for years.
Bringing It All Together
Comfort, efficiency and budget need across multiple retail locations can be difficult to manage. When done correctly, it is highly achievable.
To quickly recap:
- Plan the heating early in the buildout
- Standardise equipment and controls
- Choose energy efficient heating systems based on lifetime cost
- Use central controls to catch waste
- Commission every store and stay on top of maintenance
Do these simple things right and every new store will breathe easier, operate cheaper and safeguard your profits for years to come.
