Healthcare Technology Featured Article

December 13, 2011

Rite Aid 'Cuts Its Carbs' with Help from Ecova


Rite Aid is trying to “spread the health” of Americans by tracking and reducing the carbon footprintcreated by its 4,700 pharmacies nationwide. It is teaming with Spokane, Washington-based Ecova, a total energy and sustainability management company, for utility expense and energy management services.

Over the past five years, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania-based Rite Aid has made significant investments in initiatives that promote the efficient use of energy— such as lighting, heating, and cooling enhancements; and waste reduction. Rite Aid estimates that it has reduced its overall annual electricity consumption by 96 million KWh, which is equivalent to 65,000 tons of CO2 emissions. What’s more, last year Rite Aid recycled 61,000 tons of cardboard and 910,000 fluorescent lamps.

Now, Rite Aid has implemented Ecova’s integrated energy management solution with a focus on cost savings and expense management in its facilities. Ecova supplies Rite Aid with rate monitoring and optimization, to ensure that the company is paying the lowest cost available across hundreds of utility territories. Using actual site energy consumption data and proprietary utility tariff models, Ecova evaluates and recommends optimum energy rate options as well as energy-related tax alternatives. Ecova then provides data to Rite Aid through unique and customizable dashboard reporting.

“The first step in better energy management is having a solid, tested and reliable data set about the amount and types of energy being used across our stores,” said Paige Miller, senior manager, Energy and Environment ,at Rite Aid. “Ecova brings a depth and breadth of experience, unique client focus and integrity to their work. Together, we’ll be able to improve our cost savings and environmental footprint company-wide.”

 To date, in addition to its new partnership with Ecova, Rite Aid has made the following environmentally approved architectural modifications to its pharmacy buildings:

  • Created vestibules that form an airlock and minimize heat transfer into and out of the store every time a customer enters and exits;
  • Installed light-colored single-ply roofing, which reduces heat gain in the summer— resulting in diminished need for air conditioning;
  • Required insulation levels that exceed building code requirements;
  • Suspended acoustical tile ceilings to reduce the amount of air-conditioned store space— thereby decreasing energy consumption;
  • Deployed insulated glazing and special films reduce solar heat gain and demand for air conditioning;
  • Engineered storefront framing window systems to resist heat transfer by thermally separating the interior from the exterior window frame; and
  • Strategically placed windows to introduce more natural light into the building.

 

In addition, Rite Aid’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems have been engineered to provide:

  • High -efficiency heating and cooling mechanical units to conserve energy and provide effective ventilation through outside air exchange;
  • Fluorescent or compact fluorescent lamps as opposed to incandescent or halogen lamps.
  • A digitally controlled building energy management system;
  • HVAC that is controlled via networked thermostats, which can be monitored and adjusted remotely;
  • Early alarms from these systems alert respective company departments to proactively repair equipment prior to catastrophic failures, and maintain optimum occupant comfort and safety; and
  • Low-flow plumbing fixtures, which use less water per flush..

Rite Aid inserts an Energy Policy and a 20 Point Energy Savers Checklistinto every store manager’s repair and maintenance manual. These documents promote the efficient use of Rite Aid resources and encourage store associates to proactively identify potential sources of waste for resolution. Programs such as these led Rite Aid to receive a Gold Award in the 2008 Connecticut Summer Savers Award for reducing electricity consumption and demand by over 25 percent at Rite Aid in Waterbury, Connecticut.


Cheryl Kaften is an accomplished communicator who has written for consumer and corporate audiences. She has worked extensively for MasterCard Worldwide, Philip Morris USA (Altria), and KPMG, and has consulted for Estee Lauder and the Philadelphia Inquirer Newspapers. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Rich Steeves
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