The Scotmid Co-operative has hit new energy saving heights with the opening of its most efficient store, in Moredun, Edinburgh.
The store has been fitted with a range of state-of-the-art technologies to reduce energy consumption.
At its heart is a management system which uses real-time data to keep a check on the amount of energy being used for lighting, heating and refrigeration.
Sensors by the windows react to natural light levels outside and adjust the store’s lighting accordingly - switching lights off when it is sunny and turning them on when it is dark to save energy.
The lights have also been upgraded from fluorescents to LEDs which switch off when certain areas of the store are not in use.
The store also uses heat recovery to take waste heat generated by the fridges and use it for warming the building, while an air curtain blows out ambient air to stop heat escaping when the main doors open.
All of the fridges have also been fitted with doors and drinks chillers are programmed to switch off when alcohol is not for sale.
Even the store’s ATM has been fitted with energy efficient LED lights.
Shoppers are informed about the store’s energy saving credentials via media screens and in-store signage.
The project has received support from Zero Waste Scotland, through its Resource Efficient Scotland initiative; Post Office Limited; and contractors CBES, Climate Electrical Services Ltd, Curve Energy Ltd, KB Refrigeration and Thermal Image UK.
Scotmid Co-operative chief executive John Brodie said: “We hope that Scotmid Moredun will be a model for what an energy efficiency retrofit can achieve for retailers, and we are very thankful to our contributors for their support.”
Iain Gulland, director of Zero Waste Scotland said he hoped that others would be inspired by the store.
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