Prescriptive Incentive Program
How Longo’s improved kitchen energy use with ventilation upgrades
Founded in 1956, Longo’s now operates 45 grocery stores across Ontario. They installed a demand control kitchen ventilation (DCKV) system at their Kleinburg location to reduce energy use.* Longo’s contacted Enbridge Gas, through their business partner Fresher Energy Solutions, to seek support in identifying and implementing advanced solutions to achieve their cost-saving goals.*
Highlights
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Longo’s, alongside Fresher Source Energy Solutions, proactively engaged Enbridge Gas early in the decision-making process to estimate savings and pre-qualify the project for incentives.†
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The DCKV system:
● Adjusts to real-time cooking activity.
● Lowers energy costs.
● Optimizes energy efficiency.
Results‡
$18,500
Annual natural gas cost savings
$61,500 m3
Annual natural gas savings
$34,000
Enbridge Gas incentive
Their story
Commercial kitchens are among the most energy‑intensive spaces in a grocery store. Cooking equipment generates heat, smoke and moisture that must be captured by kitchen hoods, which often run at full speed all day. To reduce unnecessary energy use, Longo’s looked for a more efficient ventilation solution for their Kleinburg location.
The solution
DCKV is an automated system that adjusts kitchen exhaust fans based on real‑time cooking activity. Instead of operating at full capacity continuously, the system increases airflow only when cooking equipment is in use and reduces it during idle periods.
Working with Enbridge Gas and Fresher Source, Longo’s implemented DCKV to help shut off ventilation when no one is cooking—lowering heating and cooling costs, optimizing energy efficiency and improving comfort in the kitchen. Installation was completed overnight with no disruption to customers.
“The DCKV system helps us save energy and money, and Enbridge Gas was there to provide the incentive."
Paul Collette
Senior Project Manager, Longo’s
