Supermarket Environment, Thermal Comfort, Energy and Food Quality Efficiency

Paper in proceeding, 2016

In a supermarket setting, customers likely feel the chilled air from refrigerated units displaying their contents to passing customers. Supermarkets, by their nature, contain a diverse range of perishable goods stored in different designed units within one large building, whose distinct storage temperatures result in the unusual thermal environment that customers encounter when shopping. Unfortunately, this open environment results in huge amounts of wasted cold air from display units, the reduction of thermal comfort for customers, and a reduction in the quality of the food. A possible solution to improve comfort for customers, reduce cold air waste, help preserve foods, and save money for retailers includes innovative doors for open display cabinets. Such doors will save money for the retailer by lowering the costs for energy in supermarkets. Doors should, therefore, be viewed as an option and solution for not only the merchandiser, but also for the customer.