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Why supermarkets are switching to Jets® vacuum drainage

Retail

Did you know that one of JETS' fastest-growing markets is in retail, specifically the removal of condensate water from freezers and refrigerators in supermarkets? By making costly floor drains redundant, Jets® vacuum solutions unlock new flexibility - allowing for a more dynamic and adaptable use of store spaces.

Published on 2025-02-19
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Jets® Vacuum drainage gives retailers greater flexibility, says Tove Souto, Sales Manager Retail at JETS. We see more and more supermarkets recognising the benefits of this solution.

When you walk through a supermarket, everything is designed to make your shopping experience smooth and efficient. The layout ensures that fresh produce, dairy, and frozen goods are easy to find, allowing customers to navigate the aisles seamlessly. But behind the scenes, maintaining this well-organised space presents challenges - especially when it comes to cooling units.

To understand where the challenges lie and how Jets® vacuum drainage offers a smarter solution, we spoke with our colleague Tove Souto, Sales Manager Retail at JETS. She highlighted how traditional drainage solutions often limit store flexibility and create unnecessary costs for store-owners.

The challenges of traditional drainage

Moving a cooling unit that relies on traditional gravity drainage is a costly and time-consuming task. The floor must be broken up, pipes relocated, and everything restored - resulting in disruptions for customers and significant expenses for store owners. Unless a relocation is absolutely necessary, many retailers avoid it altogether.

- Many retailers struggle with drainage issues when reconfiguring store layouts. Traditional drainage solutions can be restrictive, requiring extensive modifications to floors and infrastructure. This makes store upgrades costly and time-consuming, says Souto.

However, industry professionals - including plumbers, store owners, store-planners and developers - are increasingly turning to vacuum-based condensate removal. With vacuum drainage, cooling units can be moved and reconfigured with ease, making store layout changes as simple as snapping together puzzle pieces.

- With Jets® vacuum drainage, there is no need for extensive floor work or complex pipe gradients. This allows store-planners to reconfigure stores with minimal disruption and significantly lower costs. Additionally, the technology enables installation in locations where traditional drainage would be impossible, explains Souto.

A growing trend in supermarket

Store owners are embracing Jets® vacuum drainage as a smarter way to manage condensate water.

- We’ve seen a surge in interest from supermarkets and store chains looking for a more sustainable and cost-effective drainage solution. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly from store owners upgrading cooling units without the hassle of major renovations, says Souto.

By investing in Jets® vacuum drainage, supermarkets benefit from more efficient store layouts, reduced maintenance costs, and improved customer experiences.

Key Benefits

Flexible Installation – Jets® vacuum drainage can be installed without the need for floor excavation, making it ideal for existing buildings and leased retail spaces.

Lower Maintenance Costs – Since Jets® vacuum systems prevent pipe blockages and require less intervention, maintenance costs are reduced compared to gravity drainage.

Enhanced hygiene – The system ensures that condensate water is removed quickly, reducing the risk of bacteria and mold growth in drainage pipes.

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From the Jets® Interceptor tank - placed under the refrigeration unit - condensate water is efficiently removed using vacuum technology, eliminating the need for floor drains

How does Jets® vacuum drainage work?

Instead of relying on floor drains and gravity, Jets® vacuum drainage offers a smarter and more flexible way to remove condensate water from refrigeration units. The system consists of three key components; a vacuum pump, a network of pipes and an collection tank.

- Jets® Interceptor tank is a small, low-profile container placed directly under the refrigeration unit - right where a traditional floor drain would be. As condensate water collects in the tank, it is automatically drawn into the connected pipe using vacuum pressure. Unlike traditional drainage, these pipes don’t need to run through the floor. Instead, they can be routed upwards - up to the ceiling - before being directed horizontally out of the store and into a collection tank or the main drainage system, she explains.

Multiple cooling units can be connected to the same pipe system, and a single Vacuumarator® pump can efficiently manage up to 15 Jets® interceptor tanks. The system can even lift condensate water up to 8 meters, providing enough flexibility for almost any supermarket layout.

- With Jets® vacuum drainage, supermarkets gain the freedom to move and rearrange refrigeration units without the hassle of breaking up floors - making store design more adaptable and cost-effective, Souto concludes.

Curious about how Jets® vacuum drainage can simplify store layouts and reduce costs? Follow the link below.