Three Rite Aid stores earn Energy Star certification

Camp Hill, Pa. -- Three Rite Aid stores have been awarded Energy Star certification for superior energy performance by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA awards the Energy Star certification to buildings that rank in the top 25% of similar buildings nationwide in terms of energy efficiency and meet strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA.

The Rite Aid stores that have earned the certification are located in Enfield, Conn.; Merrimack, N.H.; and Cranston, R.I. Each store is 25% more energy efficient since undergoing an energy-reducing overhaul, which included upgrades to store lighting, HVAC and energy management systems.

The actions taken by Rite Aid to improve energy efficiency include:

• Replacing 120-watt fluorescent ceiling fixtures with lower-wattage lamps and high-efficiency, low-output ballasts, lowering each fixture’s wattage to about 90 watts;
• Upgrading fluorescent bulbs in the freezers and coolers to LED light bars that use less energy and generate less heat, resulting in less compressor run time to keep the refrigerators cool;
• Installing sensors that activate the store fans to run only when needed instead of continuously
• Replacing three air conditioning units with high-efficiency units that now use a refrigerant that is less harmful to the environment once it is disposed; and
• Programming store light timing so that fixtures are kept at half-power when the store is occupied but not serving customers and outdoor lights shut off 30 minutes after the store closes.

On the EPA's Energy Star energy performance scale, a score of 50 represents average performance and a score of 75 or higher indicates top energy performance and qualifies a building for Energy Star certification. Each Rite Aid store earned a score 75.