Case Study
CalNEXT Field Study — Air Curtain Guiding Vanes
- Study Type
- Third-party California field research
- Location
- California (4 sites)
- Period
- CalNEXT ET23SWE0046
- Partner
- CalNEXT / Energy Solutions
- Project ID
- ET23SWE0046
Independent California field research (CalNEXT program) evaluating air curtain guiding vanes on open refrigerated display cases. Follow-up to a January 2022 SCE laboratory study. Documents compressor energy savings and simple payback across four grocery locations.
Key Findings
- 9–14% of total compressor energy consumption saved
- Average 147 kWh saved per linear foot per year
- Typical 330-ft store: 42,722 kWh annual savings
- Simple payback: 7–17 months depending on energy cost
Source: CalNEXT / Energy Solutions. View full CalNEXT report
Study pages
Detailed findings
Study overview
This independent field study — conducted under the CalNEXT program, a California IOU ratepayer-funded initiative — evaluated air curtain guiding vanes installed on open refrigerated display cases across four grocery locations. It served as a real-world follow-up to a January 2022 SCE laboratory study.
Technology description
- Vanes attach to shelves of vertical open refrigerated display cases, positioned across the air curtain.
- Direct airflow downward, strengthening the air barrier and reducing warm, moist outside air infiltration.
- Can direct airflow at zero angle and various angles without creating turbulence.
- Double as price tag holders — appear as standard shelf components with no aesthetic disruption.
- Low cost, easy to install, and requires no ongoing maintenance.
Headline findings
9–14%
Compressor energy savings
147 kWh / ft / yr
Avg savings per linear foot
42,722 kWh
Typical 330-ft store (annual)
7–17 months
Simple payback
$3,073
Average installed cost
Four California location results
| Location | Installed cost | Before (kWh) | After (kWh) | Annual savings (kWh) | Feet installed | kWh / ft / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Beach | $4,499 | 140,224 | 121,251 | 18,973 | 292 | 65 |
| South Gate | $3,432 | 310,847 | 285,039 | 25,808 | 214 | 121 |
| West Covina | $2,450 | 299,363 | 264,032 | 35,331 | 152 | 232 |
| Cathedral City | $1,911 | 225,320 | 204,194 | 21,126 | 124 | 170 |
| Averages | $3,073 | 243,939 | 218,629 | 25,310 | 196 | 147 |
Average savings of 147 kWh per linear foot per year; results vary by store size and climate.
Simple payback analysis (averages)
Based on average installed cost ($3,073) and average annual savings (25,310 kWh).
| Energy cost ($/kWh) | Annual cost saving | Simple payback |
|---|---|---|
| $0.09 | $2,278 | 1.4 years |
| $0.10 | $2,531 | 1.2 years |
| $0.15 | $3,797 | 0.8 years |
| $0.20 | $5,062 | 0.6 years |