GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Bay City Meijer was named a Biggest Energy Loser in the 2017 Michigan Battle of the Buildings, a statewide awards and recognition program put on by the West Michigan chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council that measures the greatest energy reduction of each of the competing commercial buildings.
The Bay City store earned 2nd place in the retail category for reducing energy use by 20.57 percent – or an estimated $90,000 annual savings – from 2017 over 2016 during its remodeling project. The reduction was achieved by upgrading the heating and cooling systems to more efficient technology, upgrading to LED lighting and placing doors on all the freezer cases.
“We are pleased the U.S. Green Building Council’s West Michigan chapter recognized the work our engineering team at Meijer has been doing to improve the performance in our stores,” said Mitch Boucher, Director of Facilities Engineering & Maintenance for Meijer. “Not only have they reduced energy use and created a sustainability benefit, but they also reduced the cost of energy at the store.”
In 2011, Meijer set a goal to reduce its stores’ energy use by 20 percent by 2020 to lessen its carbon footprint. Boucher said Meijer is 70 percent of the way to accomplishing its goal.
“There are significant opportunities for retail buildings to reduce energy consumption,” said Cheri Holman, LEED AP Executive Director for the U.S. Green Building Council West Michigan. “Congratulations to Meijer for their commitment to reducing energy waste.”
This is the first year Meijer entered the Battle of the Buildings competition. The Bay City-area store that achieved this recognition is on N. Pine Road in Hampton Township.
About Meijer:
Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates 235 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. A privately-owned and family-operated company since 1934, Meijer pioneered the “one-stop shopping” concept has evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, pet departments, garden centers, toys and electronics. Additional information on Meijer can be found at www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer