Price Chopper Implements Energy Efficiencies to Save $2.2M Annually

Price Chopper/Market 32 recently completed an energy efficiency project that sought to improve environmental impact, lower energy costs and update existing systems across five Connecticut stores. The project, with national engineering firm Fairbanks Energy Services, is estimated to save the Northeastern grocery chain over 5 million kilowatts per hour and $2 million each year. 

Hingham, Mass.-based Fairbanks Energy Services designed a three-measure project for the five stores based around HVAC, refrigeration and LED lighting improvements. The upgrades are estimated to save Price Chopper/Market 32 over 5,436,400 kilowatts per hour and 47,900 therms annually—the financial equivalent of $2,198,000, Fairbanks said. Additionally, 75% of the project’s cost was covered by Eversource Connecticut utility incentives.

“We are proud to choose a project that addresses our sustainability goals while also lowering costs,” said Frank Blake, director of facilities maintenance and energy for Price Chopper/Market 32, in a statement. “The work done by Fairbanks Energy Services supports our commitment to lessening our environmental impact. Their knowledge of [Connecticut] utility programs allowed us to save significantly on several important upgrades for our stores, and now we’re able to reinvest money we would be spending on energy as early as next year.”

“Due to the increased strain on supermarket infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic, the grocery industry is facing a need to improve operational systems while generating additional capital permitting reinvestment in their stores,” said Fairbanks in a release.

By pursuing these efficiency solutions, Price Chopper/Market 32 is not only investing in its own energy infrastructure and decreasing annual operational costs, but also improving its sustainability as well, the company added.

The five stores now feature modern LED lighting with occupancy sensors and controls; high-efficiency evaporator fan motors; and rooftop unit demand control ventilation and fan staging controls.

These solutions lower the stores’ energy usage, ultimately reducing their environmental impact while improving aesthetics, comfort, facility control and system output, said Fairbanks Energy Services, a division of Mantis Innovation.

“We were excited to tackle this project with Price Chopper/Market 32 due to the opportunity to support essential infrastructure and provide large kilowatts per hour and cost deductions through strategic energy efficiency solutions,” said Ross Fairbanks, COO of Fairbanks Energy Services, in a release. “For every project we engineer, we work to provide the best possible savings for our clients, while improving aesthetics without sacrificing comfort levels. Our experience working in Connecticut gives us the ability to secure key incentives that allow these projects to become a reality.”

Based in Schenectady, N.Y., Price Chopper/Market 32 operates 131 supermarkets in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.