Case Study
Safe, Non-Toxic Duct Sealing Technology Achieves Savings in Food Waste & Energy Costs for Grocer
Weis Markets, Inc. is a Mid-Atlantic food retailer headquartered in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Overall, Weis Markets operates 197 supermarkets in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia and Virginia.Leakage Reduction
Energy Bill Reduction per year
years in Mid-Atlantic region
The Challenge
Weis Markets looked to Sona Energy for a new ECM to implement. Sona introduced Aeroseal’s duct sealing technology to increase their store’s energy efficiency and improve indoor air quality. According to the Department of Energy, on average, 30% of the energy produced in commercial buildings is wasted. HVAC cooling and ventilation are some of the greatest consumers of energy in grocery stores. Small leaks can be present from system installation or develop as ductwork ages. These leaks are often difficult to identify and access and can lead to performance issues in commercial HVAC systems, with up to 40% of conditioned air escaping.
"Weis Markets was seeking to lower in-store humidity on the sales floor. High humidity levels can cause produce to spoil faster which is a big expense. Sona Energy helped provide that solution."
Dustin Herner
Energy and Sustainability Manager at Weis Markets
The Project
Using Aeroseal to fix their system leakage allowed Weis Markets to tackle issues with wasted energy and reduce their maintenance costs, all while enhancing their store's safe and comfortable shopping experience for their customers. Weis was able to work with their existing HVAC systems without disrupting store operation or existing infrastructure.
Aeroseal is a safe, non-toxic sealant made with vinyl acetate polymer, which is the base for chewing gum, hair spray and water- based paints. It keeps elasticity with a life expectancy of over 30 years. Aeroseal’s technology finds and seals gaps without the need for demolition to prevent further leakage and improve HVAC system performance.
The Results
After the HVAC sealing was complete, Weis Markets saw a decrease in electricity in kWh and fuel consumption in therm savings. The results across the twenty three stores included an average in kWH savings of 43,551 and an average in therm savings of 1,042. This led to a decrease in fan speed with the same quantity of conditioned air and lower humidity levels throughout the sales floor.