Green Daily

When Wal-Mart refers to a new store it's opening in Las Vegas as being modeled after an HE. 5 prototype, we can truly be assured of the sophistication of our civilization.

In case you were wondering, the computer-age term refers to a design method that emphasizes integration between energy consumption and the environmental particulars of the Western U.S. (read: dry, desert-like conditions).

According to Wal-Mart's press release, the new HE. 5 store, which opens tomorrow, will feature, "advancements in heating, cooling, refrigeration and lighting to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

The green technology Wal-Mart proudly highlights is a temperature-control system that pumps water through roof-mounted cooling towers. In lieu of traditional air conditioning, it runs the roof-chilled water back underneath the retail floor.

According to the AP, the store will also incorporate, "innovations from the previous pilot stores that include recycling heat from refrigerators and combining low-power LED lights in freezer cases with sensors that turn off those lights when no customers are around."

Wal-Mart also added that the new HE. 5 store will use up to 45 percent less energy, "than the baseline Supercenter," which appears to mean it's gonna be totally, totally rockstar awesome.