New Study on the Energy Use of Big Box Retail Stores

As a signatory to the 2030 Challenge and the AIA 2030 Commitment, Bergmeyer is always seeking ways to reduce the energy consumption and carbon footprint of our projects.

We believed there were opportunities to reduce the energy consumption of a client’s big box stores to save on operating costs. From its early days as a home-based business more than 50 years ago, the company had grown into a national retailer with a portfolio of 65 stores. With another 19 locations in the works, their real estate represents millions of square feet of floor space.

We initiated an analysis of a 96,000 sf prototype design store and an operational store to determine what cost-effective energy efficiency improvements could be made. This report summarizes the results of the energy modeling process and outlines the recommended energy conservation measures (ECMs) for the prototype design. The building components analyzed for efficiency upgrades were selected based on their energy-use implications, their expected payback, and compliance with the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code.

The model allowed us to create a benchmark against which we could evaluate design options that would increase energy efficiency and result in a high-performance prototype for future stores.

Read through the full analysis here.