Maryland-based Mars Super Markets recently discovered that lighting, as well as refrigeration and equipment controls, represents a prime opportunity for improving energy efficiency, saving money, and creating a more appealing environment for both employees and customers. Plus, with financial incentives available from BGE’s Smart Energy Savers Program^®, Mars shaved more than $225,000 off the cost of the energy efficiency improvements at its distribution center, grocery stores, and new corporate headquarters.

Mars Super Markets employs nearly 1,700 people and operates 16 retail stores and a 300,000-square-foot distribution center in the greater Baltimore area. The company also recently completed construction of a new headquarters building in Rosedale. Given the diversity of spaces and opportunities for boosting energy efficiency, Mars’ contractor, a service provider for the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program^®, recommended leveraging several BGE incentive programs and making improvements across the company’s portfolio of buildings.

Through BGE’s Energy Solutions for Business Program, Mars took advantage of incentives covering up to 50% of retrofit project costs. “We looked at everything from lighting to the entire building envelope for ways to reduce costs and improve operations,” says Rick Snyder, director of store development at Mars. “The projects are varied and include refrigeration upgrades, installation of LED lights, and variable frequency drive (VFD) replacements on existing motors.”