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Shoppers Drug Mart discovers energy savings in Manitoba
With over 1,180 stores operating in Canada, Shoppers Drug
Mart is the nation’s leading retail drugstore chain that offers
customers and patients a full service pharmacy, health products,
convenience foods, cosmetics, and everyday household needs.
Shoppers Drug Mart has implemented a nationwide energy
efficiency initiative to upgrade their stores in Canada. They
chose to start in Manitoba stores due to technical and financial
assistance provided through Manitoba Hydro’s Power Smart
programs.
“Our customers and patients expect a leading retailer
like Shoppers Drug Mart to operate their businesses in a
socially responsible manner,” says Tariq Qurashi, Business
Development. “We recognize the importance of engaging in
programs and initiatives designed to reduce our impact on the
environment.”
Shoppers Drug Mart learned about Manitoba Hydro’s Power
Smart for Business programs through their Manitoba Hydro
Commercial Sales Representative, Stacey Manikel. With
Manikel’s guidance, Shoppers Drug Mart participated in the
Power Smart Commercial Refrigeration, Commercial HVAC
(Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), and Commercial
Lighting Programs.
“Power Smart was instrumental in pushing energy efficiency
measures to the top of the pile of projects that were decided upon
by senior management,” says Qurashi. “Our experience with
Power Smart programs was seamless and easy.”
Commercial HVAC Program - CO2 Sensors
To control the supply of ventilation air, Shoppers Drug Mart
installed Carbon Dioxide (CO2) sensors on their rooftop
units at select stores. CO2 sensors are a type of DemandControlled-Ventilation strategy that helps ensure proper
indoor air quality, decreases the demand on a building’s
HVAC system, and improves a building’s energy efficiency
by controlling the amount of outside air that needs to be
heated or cooled. Each of the CO2 sensors installed should
save Shoppers Drug Mart an average of $400 per year on
gas and electricity and achieve a payback period of less than
two years.
“The HVAC system is running less often and we are now
able to easily diagnose when a damper motor mechanism is
broken,” says Qurashi. “We are so used to the comfort levels
afforded by the installation of the CO2 sensors, that too much
air is immediately noticed and dealt with.”
The Commercial HVAC Program offers financial incentives for
boilers, chillers, and CO2 sensors to help offset the added cost
of heating, cooling, and ventilation upgrades and reduce the
payback to just a few years or less.
*Manitoba Hydro is a licensee of the Trademark and Official Mark.
Commercial Refrigeration Program
Commercial Lighting Program
The initial upgrades to Shoppers Drug Mart’s food refrigeration
equipment included the installation of anti-sweat heater
controllers for upright freezer doors and ECM motors for all
refrigeration display cases across the 19 Manitoba stores. Doors
or night covers were also added to open vertical display cases
and display case lighting was upgraded to T8s. All of these
refrigeration upgrades contributed to over $20,000 in annual
savings on their utility bill.
With help from Manitoba Hydro’s Commercial Lighting
Program (CLP), Shoppers Drug Mart upgraded all of their
external signs to Light Emitting Diode (LED) backlit signage,
which can provide up to 90 per cent* in energy savings.
Most of the interior lighting was upgraded to T8 fluorescent
lighting systems, which provides up to 30 per cent ** in energy
savings. Other changes include upgrading to LED exit signs
and implementing occupancy sensors, which can provide up
to 40 per cent*** in energy savings. The CLP offers financial
assistance to commercial, industrial, and agricultural customers
to install energy efficient lighting.
Manitoba Hydro’s Commercial Refrigeration Program influenced
a nationwide energy efficiency initiative for Shoppers Drug Mart
to upgrade their refrigeration equipment.
“This national refrigeration initiative will compliment Shoppers
Drug Mart’s standing mission for improvement in building
operation and already active history of working with Power
Smart,” says Qurashi.
The Power Smart Commercial Refrigeration Program promotes
energy efficient equipment upgrades, no cost and low cost
operation, and maintenance measures for retail stores and
restaurants. Energy efficiency upgrades to refrigeration
equipment can help increase comfort for employees in
refrigeration aisles, result in longer product and equipment life,
and lower maintenance costs.
According to Qurashi, reports at the store level describe a
brighter and cleaner looking store, which makes it easier for
customers to locate products. Qurashi also states that the
reduction in maintenance disruptions is the single largest
benefit from the lighting upgrade, because it allows store
and pharmacy staff to focus on sales and customer service.
“Manitoba Hydro and Shoppers Drug Mart forged a strong
partnership and we will continue working together to achieve
their energy efficiency goals,” says Manikel. “Working with the
Shoppers Drug Mart team was a rewarding experience due
to their innovation, determination, and expertise in energy
efficiency.”
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For more information on Power Smart for Business, contact:
Phone: 204-360-3676 in Winnipeg or
1 888 MBHYDRO (1-888-625-9376)
Email: [email protected]
www.hydro.mb.ca/psfb
Power Smart for Business guidelines and incentive levels are subject to change without notice. January 2014.
Compared to neon and pending on interactive effects.
Compared to T12 and pending on interactive effects.
Compared to not switching and pending on interactive effects.