In 1999, the state of Pennsylvania passed the Natural Gas Choice and Competition Act in an attempt to decrease government regulation of the natural gas market. As a result, consumers have a choice when selecting their natural gas provider. More importantly, grocery store owners and managers in the Keystone State are able to choose a natural gas provider and pricing option best fit for their store.
Do you know how much your property’s energy bills cost each month? To find out how much you could potentially save, fill out UGI EnergyLink’s easy-to-use enrollment form—you could save hundreds, if not thousands, on future utility bills.
Natural Gas Use in Grocery Stores
There are many uses of natural gas in grocery stores, and the cost of this natural gas supply for your PA grocery store could be costing you thousands of more dollars than it should. On average, grocery stores spend about 24 cents per square foot for natural gas each year. Although energy use in a grocery store only accounts for approximately one percent of total store costs, it is estimated that this is equivalent to total profit margin—meaning a 5 to 10 percent decrease in your natural gas costs could mean a 5 to 10 percent increase in profits.
In Pennsylvania, grocery stores use natural gas for:
- Heating, cooling, and ventilation
- Cooking equipment—such as ovens, deli equipment, etc.
- Employee kitchen/break room
- And more!
Energy Saving Tips for Grocery Stores
In a grocery store, some equipment must never be turned off. For example, commercial freezers and refrigerators must be powered 24/7 at the expense of spoiled or rotted food. However, there are a few easy tips to follow in order to minimize the use of energy and natural gas in your grocery store, including:
- Heating and cooling – Be sure to minimize heating and cooling costs by turning the thermostat down to its lowest suggested temperature in stockrooms and warehouses where customers and most employees do not enter.
- Lighting – Use motion sensors in rooms where inactivity is common and turn off as many lights as necessary during closed business hours.
- Optimize refrigeration – Refrigeration is one of the largest areas to save money on utility costs. Maximize savings by following the suggested commercial refrigeration temperatures (no warmer than 41 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration), as this can reduce up to 24 percent of energy use by your commercial refrigerators.
- Switch natural gas providers – Switch natural gas providers to get lower rates and save money!
Flexible Natural Gas Pricing Options from UGI EnergyLink
Take a look at our pricing options available when selecting UGI EnergyLink as your Pennsylvania natural gas provider:
Fixed Pricing
With a fixed pricing option from UGI EnergyLink, customers lock in a set price for natural gas over an extended period of time. This fixed pricing option from UGI EnergyLink creates a better budget for your grocery store.
Monthly Price
Take advantage of variable market conditions with our monthly pricing option—giving you some certainty for your budget while saving month-to-month, depending on market conditions.
Triggered Price
Allow very own UGI EnergyLink representative to work alongside you and recommend some of the best NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange) triggers at the best pricing levels for PA grocery store.
Fuel Switching for Savings
Subject to varying market conditions, you may be able to use a natural gas alternative—fuel oil or propane—to maximize your purchasing power and save money on your monthly utility bills.
Enroll with UGI EnergyLink to take advantage of one of our four natural gas pricing options.