A multi-scale approach has been formulated in a previous work. The influence of HVAC system in supermarket on the performance of vertical open refrigerated display cabinet (VORDC) is considered. The influence is evaluated by varying the supply air temperature and velocity at the diffusers of HVAC. The computational results show that there is a direct interaction between the HVAC system and VORDC in supermarket. When the supply air temperature of HVAC system decreases from 19 degrees C to 16 degrees C, the electricity energy input in VORDC system decreases by 6.36%, and the highest products temperature is reduced by 0.18 degrees C. When the diffuser supply air velocity of HVAC system increases from 2.0 m/s to 3.5 m/s, the energy input in VORDC system decreases by 23.4%, and the highest product temperature reduces by 0.4 degrees C. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.