Texas Grocer Slashes Energy Use

RMI worked with H-E-B to implement a whole-system design for a new store at Austin's former airport site, targeting 50 percent energy savings through integrative moves in refrigeration, lighting, and building insulation. The project serves as a catalyst for H-E-B to apply these efficiency strategies across its wider store portfolio.

• The new H-E-B store design at the Robert Mueller Airport Redevelopment site in Austin is expected to achieve 50 percent energy savings compared to the company's standard new store design.
• Energy savings are achieved through several integrative design strategies, including an airlock design with vestibules and enhanced insulation, a lighting scheme utilizing daylight and LEDs, and a high-efficiency refrigeration and air conditioning system featuring chillers, cooling towers, and a radiant slab.
• Beyond energy, the design targets significant resource efficiency, including a potential 80 percent reduction in water consumption through high-performance fixtures, reclaiming condensate for cooling towers, and eliminating seafood display ice.
• The collaboration with RMI, specifically through a transdisciplinary design workshop known as a charrette, acted as a catalyst for H-E-B to integrate these efficiency strategies into other existing and new stores in its portfolio.

APA

RMI (2012). Texas Grocer Slashes Energy Use. https://rmi.org/resources/texas_grocer_slashes_energy_use/

Chicago

RMI. Texas Grocer Slashes Energy Use. 2012. https://rmi.org/resources/texas_grocer_slashes_energy_use/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Texas Grocer Slashes Energy Use |date=14 February 2012 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/texas_grocer_slashes_energy_use/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2012texas, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Texas Grocer Slashes Energy Use}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2012}, month = feb, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/texas_grocer_slashes_energy_use/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }