7-Eleven, the world’s largest convenience store chain, contracted Energy Industries to retrofit the refrigeration units of its Hawaii branches.

In the first phase of the energy efficiency project, Energy Industries installed electronically commutated (EC) motors and controllers at four store locations. The traditional shaded pole motors powering the walk-in cooler and freezer units were replaced with highly efficient EC motors. Coupled with EC motor controllers, which allow the operating speed of the evaporator fans to adjust to the current cooling demand, the retrofitted refrigeration system reduced energy consumption and costs.

The efficiency program saves 7-Eleven’s four stores a total of $16,080 a year and prevents 81,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide (CO2) from being released into the atmosphere annually. With an internal rate of return (IRR) of 81.7%, 7-Eleven Hawaii decided to expand the project and install EC motors and controllers at 53 of the Hawaii stores.