Airconditioning surveys in the UK retail sector, or Keeping the Cold in.

It is known that airconditioning use in some sectors of the UK's non-domestic building stock, is increasing rapidly and may be approaching saturation, but exact reliable figures are scarce. It is important also to know the reasons for such an increase and if energy efficiency measures are being used effectively to limit the power required by AC (Air-conditioning) units. Systems exist primarily for the comfort of customers and staff, also for stock preservation in the case of food, but the same effect can be achieved with much less energy use, particularly in temperate climates such as in the UK. Typical energy efficiency measures in the retail sector may include more efficient use of display lighting, more and non-arbitrary setting of cooling temperatures combined with self closing doors or air curtains. The results presented in this paper are from a broad-brush (low data depth, but from a large sample) pilot survey of around 700 retail premises from in 4 UK towns and cities. This was found to be a very effective way of gathering key data for a statistically valid, large sample, in a matter of days, helping surveys to coincide, for example, with favourable weather. Although the surveying process was largely qualitative there was also some quantitative sampling. To assess the intensity of cooling energy use, a sub sample of about 20 retail premises was probed for temperature and relative humidity. The results reported in this paper show that, in some cases, temperatures could be set higher improving thermal comfort and contributing towards a more efficient use of the air conditioning units. Lessons learnt from the pilot survey and details of a follow-on major survey, numbering thousands of premises, primarily in order to provide longitudinal data, are described. The results gathered so far are cause for concern, and show that despite the increased energy costs involved, very few UK retail outlets adopt any strategy of energy saving for air conditioning use.