DavCo Restaurants Energy Initiatives

Background

DavCo’s path to energy efficiency began in 2012. The initial goal of the program was to save energy costs at a select group of high utility – spend stores. A group of 30 stores was selected for a range of energy efficiency upgrades. These included:

 Exterior lighting retrofits (from Metal Halide lighting to Induction Lighting)

 Interior de-lamping (from 4 lamp fixtures to high efficiency 2 lamp fixtures)

 Refrigeration and RTU performance additive technology

 Internet enabled energy management systems (HVAC control, walk-in sensors)

The immediate goals of this project were achieved quickly. The most significant energy savings were realized based on the lighting loads cut essentially in half. Other benefits from the scope of work included:

 Greater control of rooftop cooling and heating energy consumption

 Early indicators of rooftop equipment problems and failures

 Improved guest and staff comfort

The initial 30 stores project expanded DavCo’s goals and objectives for energy efficiency projects. It soon began clear that there are other significant benefits in addition to energy savings. DavCo soon learned that almost as important as energy savings and HVAC improvement, are benefits such as:

 Leveraging utility program rebates and incentives

 Reducing maintenance costs

 Improving aesthetics of its stores

Throughout the next several years, DavCo engaged numerous lighting and energy efficiency projects, driven by the above key points as well as the rapid growth and ubiquity of LED lighting.

Utility Program Rebate and Incentives DavCo was well positioned with most of its stores being in Maryland, a state that led the market in utility rebate programs. Customers contribute a portion of their electric bill to a collective fund which is dispersed back to customers who perform energy efficiency upgrades.

In addition to lighting (the most generous rebates made available, up to 80% the cost of installed measures), DavCo was able to obtain rebates and incentives to do the following:

 Install high efficient rooftop units

 Install high efficient upright refrigerators, freezers, and ice machines

 Perform building envelope analysis and modification

 Embed the cost of energy efficiency projects on utility bill directly

Maintenance Cost Reduction

DavCo outsources all of its trade maintenance service, and thus significant annual expenses can be tied directly to the maintenance of lighting systems. By partnering with companies who warrantied the components and labor of the systems they installed, DavCo was able to eliminate nearly all of these costs. With the advent of LED lighting, fixture life increased to 5+ years. Maintenance cost reduction became a major factor in identifying stores for future lighting projects.

Aesthetics and Safety

LED exterior lighting improved the lumen output and foot candle readings for DavCo’s exterior and parking lots. This created a more visually pleasant as well as safer environment for customers and crew. Additionally, some older, dated fixtures were replaced with sleek new LED replacements.

Continued Projects

DavCo prioritized lighting as the “low hanging fruit” which would take much of its focus for the next few years. Every store in its 150 site portfolio has had some level of energy upgrade. Something as simple as replacing halogen menuboard track lighting bulbs with LED equivalents can save up to $500/year in energy and maintenance expense.

65 stores have had full scale interior and exterior lighting retrofits. 35 of which are exclusively LED. These stores now feature:

 LED pole lighting (replaces metal halide)

 LED building flood lights (replaces metal halide)  LED building wall sconces (replaces high pressure sodium)

 LED interior retrofit kits (replaces fluorescent technology)

 LED pendant lamps (replaces incandescent) Next Phases for DavCo

DavCo will continue to expand lighting upgrades to other stores. In addition, they have engaged companies in RFPs for additional energy management and refrigeration technology.

Lighting Savings Snapshot

Biggest Takeaways

Choose reputable manufacturers

Many new LED lighting products flaunt rated lives of 50,000, even 100,000 operating hours. These are attractive to the customer who wants to project savings well out into the future and eliminate the maintenance costs to repair or replace. The reality is that failures will happen sporadically, and when they do, you need that manufacturer to be around to address and replace the failed component.

Use local energy services firms

With the boom of utility rebate programs in concentrated geographic areas, many out of state or national companies will come in to generate business. They may subcontract the install of energy saving measures, who will be hours away if a warranty issue should pop up.

Involve your local contractors

When it comes to energy conservation components related to HVAC – Refrigeration, it’s best to involve the local contractors who are performing regular and preventative maintenance on those systems. They know the equipment better than anyone and should be kept in the loop if any additives, motors, energy management systems, etc are to be installed.

Ask for a pilot

Most companies trying to prove a concept will happily do a pilot to justify their technology. Test, validate, and retest. If evaluating a proposal for lighting systems, ask to see samples or locations where the same material is installed.

For more information, contact:

Kevin Niemeyer [email protected]