Foodworks Southbank, a 650m² independent supermarket in Melbourne, operates on a remote rack refrigeration system servicing cold rooms, glass-door freezers, and open chillers. Faced with rising energy costs, an uncomfortably cold shopping environment, and new competition from a nearby major chain, the owner invested in a targeted refrigeration upgrade to improve efficiency, comfort, and competitiveness.

AJ Baker & Sons assessed the refrigeration at the store and recommended the following upgrade to meet the store’s needs:

• Retain the existing refrigerated cases but retrofit them with world-leading double glazed, low-energy doors to improve insulation and reduce heat ingress.
• Replace the outdated fluorescent tubes in the cases with energy saving LED lights.
• Optimise fan speeds to provide air circulation rather than an air-curtain.
• Install a new controls platform for the rack including VSD and new rack controller to optimise plant performance at reduced refrigeration load.

While replacing the open cases with new, high-efficiency models was an option, the age of the existing units made the door retrofit the most cost-effective solution.

To maximise financial return on the investment, Expert Group were engaged to claim an energy efficiency rebate through the Victoria Energy Upgrades (VEU) Programme. The rebate was accessed via a Measurement and Verification (M&V) approach where electricity consumption before and after the upgrade was analysed to calculate energy savings. These savings were converted into tradeable carbon certificates to help fund the project.

The upgrade exceeded expectations, delivering significant benefit:

• 40% energy reduction – electricity consumption dropped from 397 MWh to 237 MWh annually, cutting costs by $1,680 per month despite rising electricity prices.
• Enhanced comfort – a more pleasant store environment for customers and staff.
• Stronger merchandising appeal – refreshed refrigeration cases with modern doors and LED lighting.
• Improved product quality – more stable temperatures extended the shelf life of meat and dairy products.
• Minimal disruption – the upgrade was completed without removing chilled stock or impacting trading.
• Increased competitiveness – improved aesthetics and lower operating costs helped the store stand out against a new major supermarket nearby.

Thanks to a $54,800 VEU rebate and significant electricity savings, the store achieved a full return on investment in less than six months.