Tips for Your Business

How One Grocery Store Found Fresh Ways to Save

The opportunity

One small-town grocery store needed a bright idea. Its sales floor lighting had begun to burn out, increasing maintenance costs, and creating a less inviting shopping experience for customers. After reaching out to SWEPCO’s Small Business Pathway team, the store manager was referred to participating contractors who provided no-cost recommendations for lighting and refrigeration upgrades.

The project

Once the business was ready to start the project, the participating contractors replaced the store’s interior and exterior lighting with long-lasting, energy-efficient LEDs. They also installed new refrigerator gaskets and strip curtains to help keep products colder for longer and reduce operating costs.

The results speak for themselves

  • 36,000 kWh estimated annual energy savings
  • $4,900 total incentives paid
  • $2,900 estimated annual cost savings

Altogether, the improvements are saving the store around $2,900 a year. Combined with $4,900 in incentives from SWEPCO, the project paid for itself in just two months. In addition to cost savings, the upgrades have made merchandise more appealing while providing a brighter, safer, and more welcoming atmosphere for customers and employees alike.

See the savings for yourself. For more information on our energy-saving programs, call 888-266-3130 or visit SWEPCO.com/ARsaves today.