Energy efficiency on retail premises
Energy efficiency on retail premises comprises a set of actions for optimising energy use without compromising comfort or the services provided. In view of current electricity and gas prices, businesses must optimise their energy use to remain viable.
In this article we will talk about...
- Understanding energy savings on retail premises
- Energy saving measures for business premises
- The benefits of energy efficiency
- Best SECOM luminaires for retail premises
Understanding energy savings on retail premises
Different premises have various features that directly impact their energy use. Average annual energy use is around 250 kWh/m2, but the real figures vary between 100 kWh/m2 and 600 kWh. And in medium and large businesses, the figures are of course much higher.
If businesses want to become more efficient, they must analyse their energy usage. Lighting generally uses the biggest share of energy – around 50% of the total – followed by air conditioning taking up around 35%. The remaining 15% can be attributed to other factors.
Energy saving measures for business premises
Given all of the above, the choice of lighting is clearly a major factor in optimising energy use. Below we list the main considerations:
- Identifying inefficiencies. Luminaires are often not distributed correctly, resulting in certain area receiving too much light. This is a common problem in shop windows, for example. Aside from unnecessary energy use, the lighting can be bothersome for customers.
- Exploiting natural light. Natural light is the best ally when it comes to energy efficiency. In that sense, open spaces with large windows can be highly effective and significantly reduce daily energy expenditure.
- Control systems. Users can program luminaires to turn on and off and regulate the light intensity depending on the available natural light. Lighting control systems are easy to use and a practical solution.
- Not all areas of a retail premises need the same amount of light at all times. Zoning is a concept already implemented in modern aircon and heating systems.
In addition, old luminaires should be swapped out for more efficient LED systems. Aside from reducing energy use, their longer useful life pays for the initial investment over time.
As already mentioned, air conditioning constitutes the second largest share of energy use on business premises, and there are other factors to consider here. Qualified professionals should be charged with finding the best solution based on the features of the premises, and care must be taken not to oversize aircon systems and to regulate the temperature within a comfortable range. This is where zoning and thermostats come into play.
The benefits of energy efficiency
Optimising energy use on a retail premises is a no-brainer, and here’s why:
- Reducing energy use frees up money for businesses to invest in their products and services to boost their competitiveness in the market.
- They can offer better prices to customers to increase their sales.
- It reduces the environmental impact of the business.
- It improves the overall image of the business. After all, efficiency is now a must across all sectors.
Best SECOM luminaires for retail premises
At SECOM, we understand the importance of energy efficiency for businesses. That’s why we stock a wide range of lighting fixtures for properly lighting shop windows, changing rooms, storage areas and more. The Aircom and Bossem ranges are both great choices.
Energy efficiency on retail premises is not only a priority for SECOM but for entrepreneurs and business owners themselves. To achieve optimal efficiency, businesses must first commission an energy use analysis to determine the best solutions, and should hire the services of a qualified professional to implement these solutions. This is the only sure way to reap all the potential economic and environmental benefits of optimising energy use.
