Cold Cash: Energy Efficiency Pays Off for Patch’s Market

Ron Patch knows all about the cost of doing business these days. As the owner of Patch’s Market & Deli in Glen, NH, he’s seen his costs go up on everything from the gas at the pumps to the meat in the subs. So when the cost of power went up too, he turned to NHEC and the NHSaves energy efficiency programs for help.

“We’re all stuck in it together, especially with the increases in the cost of energy,” Patch said. “So to have these programs really helps out.”

With advice and financial incentives from NHEC and NHSaves totaling 50% of the project cost, Patch was able to invest in the energy efficiency of his business. The result – nearly 30,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity savings per year!

Like the dozens of other small markets that are dotted across NHEC service territory, the biggest energy savings opportunities are in the coolers with the beer and soda. At Patch’s, that meant replacing fan motors that ran 24 hours a day with Electrically Commutating (EC) motors that operate only when needed. On a busy summer day, a steady stream of customers is in and out of the walk-in cooler, buying an estimated 300 cases of beverages a day.

“The main cooler is so much more efficient now,” Patch said. “I used to have trouble keeping it defrosted but had no problem whatsoever with it this summer, which was the hottest we’ve had in years.”

He also swapped out older fluorescent lights in the 40’ X ’16 cooler with highly efficient LEDs, a change that Patch said elicited hundreds of comments from customers.

“The product just sparkles now and they really notice it,” he said.

Other efficiency measures included the installation of anti-sweat heater controls in the cooler doors. All told, Patch’s Market can expect to save more than $6,000 a year in electric costs (based on current rates).

“It’s been a very successful conversion for me,” Patch said. “I came away thinking this was a win-win situation for everyone.”

Looking to save energy at your small business? Call or email our business energy experts:

Joe Lajewski                                                                                  Chelsea Smith
(603) 536-8663                                                                             (603) 536-8855
lajewskij@nhec.com                                                                    smithc@nhec.com