Complete Store Energy & Sustainability “Make-over” Project
In early 2013, CoolSys, Whole Foods, CLEAResult and SMUD set out to transform an existing store with a variety of newer technologies in order to achieve a 30+ % reduction in energy costs. In addition, using what Whole Foods Tristam Coffin described as a “Holistic Approach”, the team focused on water and chemical use reductions, refrigerant charge and carbon footprint reductions, as well as improvements to store environment for Whole Foods customers and employees.
Many measures were employed, including: transformation of the LT R404A system to CO2, replacement of a marginal control system with a new EMS platform with visual graphics, replacement of the existing evaporative condenser with Hybrid condensers, a complete new LED lighting system, upgrade of package HVAC equipment to high efficiency with demand ventilation and DEH capabilities, outside air treatment for building make up utilizing an indirect/direct system, update of cooking area make up air systems to include cooling and heating capabilities, R404A to R407A MT system conversion, elimination of an HVAC rack system in lieu of HE package equipment and medium temp. glass door retrofits amongst a host of smaller yet important additions/modifications.

The project goal was set to achieve a high level of savings, which has been on track. A sophisticated modeling approach was utilized to predict energy and other sustainability savings, allowing the Utility to provide a significant incentive. CoolSys provided the design engineering, project coordination and turn-key project administration services to insure a single point of contact for all disciplines, as well as project scheduling and store coordination for equipment changes.

This project is the model for many subsequent similar “Make Over” projects CoolSys has been a part of, focused on a customized plan to achieve maximum savings, while incorporating equipment upgrades and other sustainability measures to achieve our customer’s goals. As has been documented in Accelerate Magazine’s June 2015 Article “Getting an Energy Rebate, The Whole Foods Way”, the project required many inputs from a variety of partners to make it a success, which is the “CoolSys Way”!