Company of the Month: United Illuminating provides Energize Connecticut programs to support efficient retail operations

Jose Cuapio, owner of Grand Fish Market - New Haven, CT

New Haven, CT Retailers must keep a constant read on their customers’ perceptions and experiences to maintain a strong bottom line.  While upgrades to aesthetics are obvious investments retailers can make to positively impact the customer, creating a more energy-efficient environment can also considerably benefit the customer experience.

United Illuminating (UI) provides programs and services through the Energize Connecticut initiative to help businesses strategically manage energy use – making them more efficient and providing long-term cost savings.  The added bonus comes with upgrades and improvements that create a more attractive and comfortable retail space.

New Haven’s Grand Fish Market depends on 24-hour lighting, seven days a week.  Using no-interest financing and financial incentives available through the Small Business Energy Advantage program, the specialty seafood retailer made improvements to lighting and to refrigeration equipment late last year. 

Upgrading to all LED lighting brightened up the fish market, significantly improving the look.  Replacing dairy case fans and producing case curtains and fans also helped make the operation of equipment more efficient.  The combined measures are estimated to save Grand Fish Market 18,698 kWh annually, translating to $3,365 in annual savings.

“We always try to be energy-efficient and environmentally friendly and I love that these updates save us energy and money,” said Jose Cuapio, owner of Grand Fish Market.  “Making the changes was seamless, which is important, there was no disruption to the business.”

Energize Connecticut programs connect businesses with resources to achieve smart energy solutions by identifying areas for improvement, finding qualified contractors and vendors, and providing incentives and financing to support updates.

Energy saving improvements can reduce operating costs by addressing key areas of building and maintenance.  A range of energy-efficient measures and improvements are available, including upgrades to lighting, heating and cooling systems, refrigeration, and natural gas. 

Frank D’Andrea, franchise owner of Dunkin’ Donuts

In another recent project, the franchise owner of multiple Connecticut Dunkin’ Donuts locations took on lighting and refrigeration replacement to help create a more attractive and brighter feel.

“The lighting upgrades give a different look to our locations, it’s much cleaner and provides better lighting for customers and for our employees,” said Frank D’Andrea, franchise owner.

“Maintaining efficiency is essential for cost-conscious operations and long-term sustainability in the highly competitive retail industry,” said Dennis O’Connor, Small Business Energy Advantage program manager at UI.  “The custom energy solutions we present to retailers are intended to make store improvements and equipment upgrades tangible to help reduce operating costs and ultimately enhance the overall customer experience.”

Lenny and Joe’s Fish Tale has grown from a “roadside clam stand” to an iconic seafood destination in Connecticut, now with three shoreline locations. A long-standing community partner operating an energy intensive business, Lenny and Joe’s recognizes its responsibility to operate more sustainably to protect the environment.  Efficiency improvements have not only improved the restaurant’s carbon footprint, but also its profitability.

As part of the Small Business Energy Advantage program, Lenny and Joe’s purchased new refrigeration equipment with evaporator fan controls and an electronically commutated motor, increasing the unit’s performance and significantly reducing its energy usage.  They upgraded lighting throughout the restaurant interior and exterior to LEDs and super high efficiency T8 fluorescent systems.  The restaurant also incorporated gas measures, including optimizing the water system with new spray valves and aerators.  These combined changes are generating a $10,800 annual savings.

UI also worked with Stratford-based Riverview Bistro on a comprehensive energy efficiency project.  Program engineers recommended upgraded refrigeration with improved motor controls and evaporator fans, as well as programmable thermostats and more centralized temperature sensors. The restaurant also reduced hot water usage by installing high efficiency sprayers and aerators.

Riverview Bistro - Stratford, CT

Energy-efficient lighting upgrades were incorporated throughout Riverview’s riverfront facility, including installing LEDs in the interior, converting the exterior incandescent lamps to LEDs, and enhancing the restaurant signage with LEDs.  The cumulative changes translate to an estimated $13,600 annual savings.

Retailers like The Wine Emporium in Shelton, CT, have an opportunity to realize significant savings when addressing efficiency in core operations needs. Upgrading walk-in coolers to refrigeration systems with electronically commutated motors (ECM) reduces energy consumption.  Combined with LED lighting upgrades, The Wine Emporium is expected to save about 41,692 kWh annually, providing cost savings of more than $7,500 annually.

Energize Connecticut programs are a partnership of the Energy Efficiency Fund, the Connecticut Green bank, and local electric and gas utilities and are funded by a charge on customer energy bills. Information on energy efficiency programs can be found at EnergizeCT.com.