When grocery retailers invest in new technology, they often want proof that the solution will truly pay for itself. For many, the idea of installing night covers on their open refrigerated display cases sounds promising: reduced energy consumption, improved food preservation, and lower shrinkage. But what happens when an unexpected event puts these benefits to the test?
In this story, we explore how one supermarket discovered the true return on investment (ROI) of Econofrost night covers—not during normal operations, but during a sudden power outage. What unfolded highlighted not only the energy savings of night covers but also their crucial role in food preservation and risk management.
The Challenge: Open Refrigerated Cases in a Busy Supermarket
Like many supermarkets, this retailer operated with long aisles of open refrigerated display cases showcasing meat, produce, dairy, deli, and floral products. The cases were bright, inviting, and perfect for merchandising—but they also created a challenge:
- High energy costs due to constant refrigeration load
- Temperature fluctuations leading to product shrinkage
- Limited protection during power outages or after-hours operations
The retailer had heard about retrofit night covers as an affordable solution, particularly woven aluminum night covers designed for daily use. They were intrigued by the idea that installing Econofrost 9000 Series night covers could reduce refrigeration energy consumption by 36%–50% per hour. Still, they were skeptical—would these savings translate into real, measurable ROI?
The Unexpected Test: A Power Outage
The real test came one evening when a local grid failure caused the supermarket to lose power for nearly six hours. For many retailers, such an outage can be catastrophic. Without refrigeration, perishable products quickly rise in temperature, creating serious risks of spoilage, food safety violations, and revenue loss.
However, this store had recently installed Econofrost night covers on all of its open cases. When the outage hit, staff immediately deployed the motorized night covers and manual woven aluminum covers, sealing in cold air and creating a thermal barrier that dramatically slowed temperature rise.
Results: Food Preservation During the Outage
Store management was astonished by the outcome:
- Meat cases: Products stayed well within safe temperature ranges, preventing thousands of dollars in potential waste.
- Produce displays: Fresh fruits and vegetables retained moisture and crispness, avoiding wilting and shrink.
- Dairy and deli products: Stayed chilled longer, allowing the store to reopen without discarding inventory.
- Floral refrigeration night covers: Preserved delicate arrangements that otherwise would have wilted within hours.
By using night covers as emergency response tools, the supermarket prevented extensive product loss and avoided reputational damage with customers.
ROI Beyond Energy Savings
Most discussions about night covers ROI focus on energy cost reduction. After all, studies show that using night covers daily can:
- Deliver up to 50% hourly energy savings in refrigerated cases
- Reduce compressor runtime and extend equipment life
- Qualify stores for utility rebate night covers programs
- Lower operational costs year-round
But this outage revealed another critical layer of ROI: loss prevention and product preservation.