Question

Grocery store managers contend that there is less total energy consumption in the summer if the store is kept at a low temperature. Make arguments to support or refute this claim, taking into account that there are numerous refrigerators and freezers in the store.

a) Support: Cold air reduces refrigeration workload
b) Support: Lower temperatures decrease customer discomfort
c) Refute: Increased workload due to higher temperature differences
d) Refute: Energy consumption is unrelated to store temperature

Answer 1

To support the claim, cold air reduces refrigeration workload and lower temperatures decrease customer discomfort.

To refute the claim, increased workload due to higher temperature differences and energy consumption may not be related to store temperature.

Step-by-step explanation:

To support the claim that there is less total energy consumption in the summer if the store is kept at a low temperature, we can make the following arguments:

1. Support: Cold air reduces refrigeration workload. When the store is kept at a low temperature, the temperature difference between the refrigerators and the surrounding environment is smaller, reducing the amount of heat transfer and the workload for the refrigerators, resulting in lower energy consumption.
2. Support: Lower temperatures decrease customer discomfort. When the store is cooler, customers may spend more time in the store, resulting in increased sales. Additionally, customers may feel more comfortable and be willing to stay longer, which can also lead to increased sales.

To refute the claim, we can make the following arguments:

1. Refute: Increased workload due to higher temperature differences. If the store is kept at a low temperature, the difference in temperature between the refrigerators and the surrounding environment is larger. This can lead to increased heat transfer and workload for the refrigerators, resulting in higher energy consumption.
2. Refute: Energy consumption is unrelated to store temperature. Energy consumption in the store may not be significantly affected by the store temperature, as it depends on various factors such as the efficiency of the refrigerators, insulation, and customer behavior.