Danfoss Recognizes Mars Super Markets for Energy-Efficient Practices

"EnVisioneer of the Year" Award Presented After 13th Danfoss EnVisioneering(SM) Symposium in Washington, D.C.


WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwire - June 10, 2010) -  Danfoss, a leading manufacturer of electronic and mechanical components and control systems for refrigeration and air conditioning, heating and power electronics, recognized Mars Super Markets of Baltimore, Md., as the winner of its first "EnVisioneer of the Year" award competition for its success in implementing energy-efficient practices. The award was presented on May 13 in Washington, D.C. following the 13th Danfoss EnVisioneering Symposium.

Mars initiated an energy-efficiency program to reduce costs and improve operations at its facilities in the greater Baltimore area. The company met its objectives through multiple rebate offerings from the Baltimore Gas & Electric "Smart Energy Savers" program, managed by ICF-International.

Fast facts:

  • Rebates totaled $226,750 -- estimated payback of 2.36 years.
  • Mars saved more than 3 million kilowatt-hours per year at its retail stores, distribution center and corporate headquarters.
  • Energy-efficient upgrades included:
    • LED lighting
    • Danfoss anti-sweat heater controls on refrigeration cases
    • Danfoss variable frequency drives on motors that run heating and cooling systems

Rick Snyder, director of store development for Mars, noted that the anti-sweat heaters, which help prevent condensation from forming on refrigeration cases, often run 24/7 and consume a significant amount of energy.

"With our Danfoss energy management system, we can control the heaters based on the humidity inside the store," said Snyder. "For example, if the store humidity is 15 percent, we can run the heaters just three minutes out of 15. If the humidity is high, say 53 percent, then we'll run the heaters 12 minutes out of 15. The savings with this type of program just made good sense."

Recognizing Energy Achievements
The "EnVisioneer of the Year" award competition was launched in 2010 by Danfoss to recognize end users, building owners and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that exemplify the Danfoss EnVisioneeringSM core values and have used Danfoss products to realize significant energy and/or environment savings.

"EnVisioneering is a strategic, customer-focused approach designed to create engaged partnerships with our customers by combining engineering innovation, energy efficiency and environmental responsibility," elaborated Robert Wilkins, president, Danfoss North America. "This competition will help business leaders continue to advance energy-efficient sustainable solutions that support improved performance and profitability, higher standards and lower operating costs in buildings and facilities."

In recognition of the energy-efficiency achievements of Mars Super Markets, Danfoss made a $5,000 donation in the winner's honor to the Alliance to Save Energy, an environmental advocacy group committed to advancing energy efficiency policy and technology in the U.S., and host of the Energy Efficiency Global Forum & Exposition May 10-12, also in Washington, D.C.

Committed to Advancing Energy Efficiency
The "EnVisioneer of the Year" award was presented at the Library of Congress immediately following the 13th Danfoss EnVisioneering Symposium, which explored strategies for and the role of policy in the creation and advancement of net zero energy and other high-performance practices.

The roundtable discussion of more than 50 heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) industry professionals included presentations from:

  • U.S. Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY)
  • U.S. Congressman C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger (D-MD)
  • James Rannels, supervisor, Commercial Building Integration and Deployment Project, U.S. Department of Energy, Bureau of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
  • Richard Lord, engineering fellow, Carrier Corporation
  • Drake Erbe, vice president, market development, Airxchange, Inc.
  • Karen Penafiel, CAE, vice president for advocacy, BOMA International
  • Godfried L. Augenbroe, associate professor, School of Architecture, Georgia Institute of Technology
  • James McClendon, director of engineering, Wal-Mart

Key discussion notes from the Symposium include:

  • Energy efficiency is a concern of national security, energy security and climate change.
  • Building components have been nearly maxed out in terms of energy efficiency potential.
  • Building design should be approached at a systems level -- an integration of architect and engineer. The concept of a 'master builder' will be more effective at ensuring optimum system performance than traditional 'design-build.'
  • Today, not all buildings are being operated as intended, which is sacrificing efficiency. The fields of operations and maintenance should be synonymous with energy engineering.
  • Enforceable standards are needed to guarantee maximum results in increasing the energy efficiency of U.S. infrastructure.

To read more about the 13th Danfoss EnVisioneering Symposium, please read the wrap-up press release here: http://www.danfoss.com/North_America/NewsAndEvents/News/Danfoss-EnVisioneering-Symposium-Raises-New-Questions-about-Energy-efficient-Building-Design/3088937D-2762-4059-8917-BB0E7AD727B9.html.

2010 marks the fifth consecutive year that Danfoss has hosted the EnVisioneering Symposia series. The company launched the series in August 2006 to create an ongoing dialogue among industry, the policy community and thought leaders in HVACR and energy research and development.

About Danfoss:
Danfoss is one of the world's leading manufacturers of electronic and mechanical components and control systems for refrigeration and air conditioning, heating, and motion controls. We operate in more than 100 countries, employ 25,740 people, and hold more than 1,800 patents on a wide range of products. Our innovative, reliable products are backed by local sales and support to help our customers solve their greatest challenges. With its visionary and committed employees, Danfoss meets the needs of its customers through its EnVisioneeringSM partnerships. EnVisioneering focuses on developing new technologies for sustainable business growth through engineering innovation, energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. For more information about Danfoss, visit: www.danfoss.us. For more information about EnVisioneering, visit: www.envisioneering.danfoss.com.

Related Links:
Danfoss - http://www.danfoss.us
Mars Super Markets - http://www.marsfood.com
Alliance to Save Energy - http://www.ase.org

Contact Information:

Contact:
Jamie Wenrich
Godfrey PR
jwenrich@godfrey.com
717-393-3831

Pictured L to R: Rick Snyder, director of store development, Mars Super Markets; Gail Hendrickson, executive vice president, external communications and operations, Alliance to Save Energy; Robert Wilkins, president, Danfoss North America; Michael Ivanovich, president, The Ivanovich Group, and head of the award judging panel. The 13th Danfoss EnVisioneering Symposium was held at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., and joined together more than 50 heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) industry professionals to discuss strategies for and the role of policy in the creation and advancement of net zero energy and other high-performance practices in commercial buildings. The Symposium included presentations from Congressmen Steve Israel (D-NY) and C.A. 'Dutch' Ruppersberger (D-MD); James Rannels (pictured), supervisor, Commercial Building Integration and Deployment Project, U.S. Department of Energy, Bureau of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; James McClendon, director of engineering, Wal-Mart; as well as experts from industry organizations.