Energy-efficient models often have the lowest operating costs. Look for units with self-closing doors, LED lighting, high efficiency compressors, ECM (variable speed) fan motors, low-e glass, and advanced automated anti-sweat heater controls to prevent condensation on glass doors. EPA's Energy Star program lists products that meet requirements, provides information on operating costs, and provides links to utility rebate programs for purchasing energy-efficient products.

Peforming regular maintenance and keeping coils and vents clean helps keep refrigerators and freezers running at peak performance. On at least an annual basis, check the refrigerant, adjust belts, repair or replace seals and lubricate moving parts.

Like with customer-facing refrigerated or freezer display cases, the refrigerators and freezers used in the back of the house should meet the Energy Star requirements.

QuikTrip achieved significant savings by switching some stores to a parallel-rack refrigeration system. The parallel-rack system uses two or more refrigeration compressors for cooling. When greater cooling needs exist, the system runs multiple compressors. When less cooling is needed, only one compressor is used, switching between the compressors to avoid overtaxing any of them. According to QuikTrip, the fully loaded costs generate a double-digit savings.

Modern LED technology can cut parking-lot lighting energy bills by 40% or more with controls, while delivering additional benefits such as longer life, reduced maintenance costs and improved lighting uniformity. Similar benefits exist for indoor LED lighting.

As a result, many retailers have switched to LED:

• Casey’s launched a four-year transition plan to LEDs in 2016 and estimated that it would cut energy use by more than 50%. 
• 7-Eleven transitioned in-store lighting to LED. By the end of 2017, more than 6,000 stores converted from fluorescent to LED, saving an estimated 38,756 kWh per store. 
• QuikTrip retrofitted all stores to LED lighting. 
• RaceTrac was one of the first convenience stores to embrace LED technology beginning with its outdoor lights. 
• Kum & Go uses only LED lighting in its new stores and is currently transitioning existing stores. 

Rutter’s stores use the power of the sun to reduce energy costs with solar tubes on the roof that channel sunlight inside the building. As with studies on LED lights, some studies found that daylit stores report higher average sales per store. A 2003 California Energy Commission study, “Daylighting and Productivity in the Retail Sector,” suggests that sales in daylit stores increased by up to 40%.

Another way to reduce lighting costs is to turn off lights when they are not needed. Automatic switches, timers, and occupancy sensors in closets, storage rooms, breakrooms, restrooms, and walk-in refrigerators help ensure that lights are off when they are not being used.

There are three considerations for the energy use and environmental costs of an HVAC system: 

1. Size the unit appropriately to the store’s needs. EPA estimates that more than one out of four HVAC systems are larger than needed. Architects and building engineers typically oversize HVAC units on the assumption that “too much is better than not enough,” or in case the owner decides to expand the size of the store. The assumption that bigger is better significantly increases electricity costs and the associated environmental impacts.
2. Buy an energy efficient system. While HVAC systems have drastically improved their energy and environmental performance, Energy Star-certified systems can be about 6% percent more efficient. The more efficient systems have lower operating costs.  
3. Perform regular maintenance. HVAC systems require regular upkeep to maintain peak performance. Changing filters, lubricating moving parts and checking for coolant leaks all help ensure that the system is as efficient as possible. Studies show that properly maintaining an HVAC system can reduce electricity costs by 5% to 40%, depending on the system or equipment involved.

While refrigeration, lighting and HVAC are the most significant causes of oversized electric bills in the convenience industry, “anything with a plug” contributes to the electric bill. 

People frequently underestimate how much electricity something uses. “Energy vampires,” products that suck money out of wallets by using more electricity than needed, can be hidden everywhere. The electricity it takes to power signs, display cases, vending machines, kitchen equipment, televisions, cable boxes, satellite dish receivers, computers, cash registers, bathroom hand dryers and fans all add up.