| News Release |
|
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| Bealls Department Stores, Inc. has incorporated energy efficient technologies into several of their recent store developments. In particular, they are being used in the construction and operation of the new Bonita Springs store opening in late April 2008. These new energy efficient and resource conserving technologies are in addition to those that are already mandated as part of Florida's building code. |
| Building Envelope |
| 1. Cool Roofs: The store features a roof made of a smooth, white, elastic material that not only reflects more light back to the sky, but also radiates more building heat to the sky than traditional roofing technologies. This 'cool roof' substantially reduces the amount of energy needed to cool the store. 2. Extra Ceiling and Wall Insulation: The store features rigid foam insulation in both the ceiling and walls that is over and above the standards set by the Florida Building Code. This insulation results in lower cooling and heating energy usage for the store. |
| Lighting | 1. Compact Metal Halide (CMH) Spot Lights: The store uses 25 watt CMH lamps in track lighting fixtures used to spotlight merchandise, mannequins and signage, instead of 75 or 90 watt incandescent lamps, without sacrificing light output. The new lamps reduce not only the amount of lighting energy used in the store, but also contribute less to the air conditioning load of the building. The new CMH lamps even last up to 4 times longer than the old lamps, meaning a reduced waste stream as well. In addition, these new lamps operate with lighting fixtures that can be wired into a higher-voltage circuit than traditionally used, reducing the amount of wiring that is required and eliminating an entire transformer within the store. |
| HVAC |
| 1. High-efficiency Air Conditioning/ Roof-top Units (RTUs): The store's air conditioning system includes high-efficiency packaged roof-top units (RTUs). 2. Environmentally-Friendly Refrigerant: The RTUs that are used in the store incorporate one of the latest technologies in refrigerant gasses, called R-410a. This refrigerant is much more environmentally friendly than the most common one used today, R-22. The older, R-22 refrigerant, is an HCFC (hydro-chlorofluorocarbon) that, when leaked into the atmosphere, depletes the ozone layer, and which is being phased out of production by the US EPA. R-410a is an HFC (hydrofluorocarbon) that does not deplete the ozone layer when released into the atmosphere, and is not being phased out. |
| Waste |
| 1. Cardboard Recycling: The store includes a cardboard recycling program for all merchandise that is delivered. Once merchandise is taken out of the box, the box is placed in a specially designated container, where it can be recycled and kept out of landfills. 2. Plastic Recycling: Using the same trucks that deliver merchandise, plastic bags that once carried the merchandise are recovered and shipped back to the corporate distribution center. There, it is baled and sent to a recycling facility, keeping the plastic waste out of landfills and helping reduce dependence on petroleum. |
| Operations/ Maintenance |
| 1. 'TAKE Power' Employee Awareness Program: Initiated throughout Beall's Inc. and its operating companies in early 2007, the TAKE Power employee awareness program offers ongoing reminders for employees to undertake energy efficient operating practices. As part of the program, awareness materials such as newsletters, wall signs and light switch stickers are distributed. There have also been several energy reduction contests to determine who can reduce electricity consumption the most. 2. Scheduled HVAC Maintenance: Beall's Inc.'s store maintenance technicians visit each store at least quarterly to inspect the HVAC systems and ensure that they are running at peak efficiency, including cleaning coils and changing air filters. |
| Bealls' apparel boxes are made of recycled material! |
| There's something you should know about the boxes you receive from Bealls' they're eco-friendly. That's right, Bealls gift boxes are made of two different types of board which both are made up of 100% recycled material. |