Waitrose has revealed its plans to speed up the installation of heat pumps in its stores to combat rising energy prices.
It is switching from fossil fuel heating to electric heat pumps in stores, with 100% of the electricity it purchases already coming from zero carbon UK-based renewable energy sources. By 2028 it will have reduced energy consumption by 25%
Neil Coleman, Operations Manager, Energy and Innovation for the John Lewis Partnership, said:
No business is immune to rising energy costs. We’ve already set an ambitious plan to reduce our energy consumption and reach our goal of net zero emissions by 2035. With energy prices rising, we’re accelerating this. We’re focusing on heat recovery solutions and thermal efficiency to help lower the general heating and cooling load of our buildings.
To maximise the efficiency of its buildings, the company will also:
- continue to roll out ‘Air Door’ technology throughout its estate, lessening hot and cold air infiltration into a building, thereby reducing refrigeration, heating and cooling energy consumption.
- phase out HFC (Hydrofluorocarbons) refrigerants, switching to water-cooled systems and low GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants, and will upgrade fridges to make them 40% more efficient.
- convert to LED lighting across all stores, reducing a shop’s electricity consumption by up to 10%.
