If you own or manage a convenience store, you know how difficult it can be to reduce energy use and maximize your bottom line. Natural gas can account for as much as 60 percent of total energy consumption in convenience stores—supplying energy to your store’s heating and cooling system, commercial kitchen appliances, water heaters, and more.
Keep reading to learn how Pennsylvania convenience stores and gas stations use natural gas and how you could benefit from enrolling in UGI EnergyLink’s commercial natural gas services.
How Do Convenience Stores Use Natural Gas?
Did you know that the average convenience store uses 38.2 cubic feet of natural gas per square foot per year? And with a projected commercial natural gas price of $8.67 per thousand cubic feet (according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration) your natural gas bill could add up quickly. Convenience store owners use natural gas to:
Control the temperature in their store. Natural gas is the energy choice of many Pennsylvania convenience store owners, supplying energy to furnaces and your store’s forced air system to properly heat during the winter and cool during the summer.
To reduce the amount of natural gas used by the HVAC system in your convenience store, consider setting your thermostat two degrees cooler in the winter and two degrees warmer during the summer. Chain store 7-Eleven estimated $5 million in total savings across 6,000-plus stores nationwide after implementing this strategy. Other energy saving measures include routine HVAC maintenance, ductwork cleaning, and changing register filters as needed.
Cook food. If your convenience store serves food, chances are your commercial kitchen appliances are powered by natural gas. Although cooking food only accounts for approximately four percent of natural gas use in convenience stores nationwide, consider replacing your commercial kitchen appliances (ranges, stovetops, fryers, etc.) with newer, more energy efficient models and be sure to turn off all necessary equipment each night to minimize energy use.
Heat water. All convenience stores need hot water, and to heat water your convenience store needs a hot water heater powered by natural gas! Whether you’re supplying hot water for cooking, cleaning, or in customer and employee restrooms, consider replacing your current hot water heater with a new energy efficient model.
Why Choose UGI EnergyLink?
In 1985, UGI EnergyLink was one of the first to sell natural gas in the deregulated marketplace and is now a major regional retail supplier of natural gas throughout the East Coast. Since then, our company has been providing customer service and affordable natural gas pricing options to states throughout the Northeast.
When you choose UGI EnergyLink as your commercial natural gas provider, you’ll benefit from:
- A customized approach that best meets your convenience store’s needs
- Transparent pricing – no surprises or hidden fees
- Predictable impact of heating pricing on your budget
- Answers to all your questions from professionals you can trust (call us today at 800-797-0712800-797-0712!)
As UGI EnergyLink continues to grow, we will deliver even more value and reliability to the convenience stores and gas stations we service, tailoring energy-purchasing programs to fit the requirements of large industries, small businesses, and every organization in between.
Fill out our simple enrollment form for convenience stores today »