Wal-Mart has teamed up with Lennox International to install high-efficiency HVAC systems that include gas/electric single package rooftop units providing both heating and cooling for their stores.

“Wal-Mart is using new industry-leading, high-efficiency packaged rooftop units in its stores,” said James McClendon, Wal-Mart’s Chief Mechanical Engineer. The units feature efficiencies above 12.0 EER, as well as advanced airflow operation. The units achieve a high level of efficiency during part-load operation, which accounts for a majority of its operating hours. The rooftop units exceed the highest ENERGY STAR and CEE efficiency specifications for high-efficiency commercial air conditioning. However, the gas heating side of these units use the standard technologies, with performance levels of approximately 80 percent AFUE. “Most of the large retailers we work with purchase a tremendous amount of equipment and use an enormous amount of energy. As a result, they are hungry to install energy-efficient products and lower their energy expenditures,” explained Mike Walker, Strategic Global Accounts Manager for Lennox International. “Any help that CEE can provide to justify the business case for using energy-efficient products is extremely beneficial.”

The business case for high-efficiency cooling in these units has been made through CEE’s High-Efficiency Commercial Air Conditioning Initiative. Now, CEE’s Natural Gas Committee is exploring opportunities for increased gas efficiency on the heating side of these units. “For retailers to realize the full potential of energy savings in single package rooftop units, the next frontier is gas heating efficiency,” said Michelle Rosier, CEE Natural Gas Program Manager. In September, CEE and industry partners will meet to discuss the economic and technological potential for improving gas heating efficiency in these units.

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