The challenge

The original three-storey Unicorn’s annual energy expenses were approximately $150,000. The second, a single-floor operation in a busy neighbourhood, also needed to reduce energy consumption and improve operational efficiency.

The solution

For the larger location, we made changes to their lighting, HVAC, and walk-in freezers and coolers. We also considered the needs of each storey’s energy use.

• Upgraded to high-efficiency LED lighting with occupancy-based automation.
• HVAC unit: Upgraded and optimized heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units.
• Implemented solutions to reduce energy consumption in cold storage.
• Tailored energy usage on each floor based on real-time occupancy.

For the single-storey restaurant, we made similar changes along with optimizing the kitchen ventilation.

• Occupancy-based lighting improvements.
• Efficiency enhancements for the HVAC system.
• Improved the energy performance of the walk-in freezer.
• Streamlined ventilation systems in the kitchen for reduced energy use.

The results

In the end, the owners got a better-than-expected return on their investment. The optimized equipment led to increased lifespan, lower maintenance costs, significant energy cost reduction, and improved operational efficiency.