An innovative open refrigeration case cover is blooming some rosy profits for floral retailers. They are also netting the additional benefits of longer shelf life while replacing the need for expensive closed glass cases.
Econofrost aluminum heat reflective thermal shields provide substantial energy savings in open refrigerated floral case displays. With the insulating night covers, floral managers gain substantial reductions in the energy use of compressors for cool cases, and they permit store heaters to maintain store temperatures at lower costs. Econofrost woven aluminum night covers are perfectly suited for floral managers because they offer the same advantage of open merchandising when the store is open and prolonged shelf life when the store is closed.
Econofrost covers are durable, attractive, simple yet energy efficient. Their reflective cover provides an effective barrier for heat considering how thin the material is. When used in stores that close during the night, they can provide quite a lot of energy savings during the night refrigeration cycle.
Floral managers have reported energy savings of between 37 to 50 per cent during closed store hours as well as a reduction in store heating costs, and compressor and refrigeration system maintenance costs. The company reveals the pay back for Econofrost is as little as eighteen months with a minimum of 60 hours closing time a week. Shorter pay back periods are usually derived from a combination of energy savings and an increase in flower shelf life.
The company recognizes the pay back is partly derived from reduced costs through less frequent compressor operation and maintenance, as well as from reduced store heating or air conditioning operation. However, retailers have learned that the quickest pay back is from the protection of all heat sensitive merchandise from exposure to heat and UV radiation during closed hours. The protection from heat and UV radiation is particularly important in the floral display departments because of exposure to heat and dry air within the store.
Econofrost’s worldwide success is also due to its attractive patented 99 per cent pure woven aluminum fabric. The woven aluminum is bonded with PVC to give it strength. In addition, to avoid oxidation, a transparent film is applied over the aluminum, and then the back is coated with a fire retardant. Finally, the fabric is punched with a precise pattern of holes which will allow the fabric to breath and avoid excessive condensation.
Econofrost was established in Europe for more than twenty years and for fifteen years in North America through its Canadian subsidiary, MGV Inc. Econofrost manufactures insulated refrigeration covers for many markets, in North America and abroad, so worldwide standards are maintained. Econofrost meets all international safety standards for fabrics used with electrically operated equipment.
