NRM Success Story
Buddy's Drive Inn Liquors
Indian Head, MD
Buddy's Drive Inn Liquors has slashed their electric bill by over $2,000 per year. By year 10 of having NRM's solution, they will have saved over $20,000 in profits that otherwise would've been spent on energy costs.
More and more utility companies across the country are offering small business-focused solutions to help local customers improve their business and use less energy. SMECO in Maryland is no different through the EmPower Maryland programs.
These programs offer incentives and rebates for commercial locations to make improvements that range from weatherization to replacing all outdated lighting with high-efficient LED models.
There’s one area though that offers greater savings and impact than nearly all the others: commercial refrigeration systems. These large, complex systems use a lot of energy to operate because they often run at 100% power, 24/7.
But does a system need to run just as hard in January as it does in July to keep your product cooled at safe temperatures?
NRM’s operational upgrades that adapt the refrigeration to run only when it needs are offered as approved measures that may be eligible for incentives through the programs.
Jac Singh, owner of Buddy’s Drive Inn Liquors in Indian Head, MD decided to take advantage of the offer, which secured him an 80% incentive to implement NRM’s measures, and he has been very pleased with the results so far!
Ultimately, the upgrades they received were CoolTrol, NRM’s smart refrigeration controller, high-efficiency motor upgrades in their evaporator fans, and setback controls for their novelty coolers that also don’t need to run their cooling 100% of the time.
Combined, Mr. Singh’s refrigeration is now using around 16,000 LESS kWh per year to do the same job it was before, which has reduced their monthly electric bill by nearly $200.
Industry
Liquor Store
Location
Indian Head, MD
Implemented Measures
- CoolTrol refrigeration controls
- EC Motor Upgrades
- Novelty Cooler Setbacks
Utility Incentive
80% of Project Cost
Simple Payback
7 Months
Annual Energy Savings
16,500 kWh
Annual Dollar Savings
$2,150
“What I like most about the CoolTrol Technology is that it saves me money! Since I had it installed in 2018, I see savings month over month and year over year. I have had no issues with it, and I especially like the Shut Down Button feature that turns off the fans for 20 minutes. It’s all very easy to use and I recommend NRM and CoolTrol!”
— Jac Singh, Owner