Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers
Walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers (walk-ins or WICFs) are enclosed storage spaces that can be walked into. WICFs temporarily store refrigerated or frozen food or other perishable goods and are used primarily in the food service and food sales industry. Walk-in coolers operate above 32°F and at or below 55°F, and walk-in freezers operate at or below 32°F. WICFs covered by the regulations have a total chilled storage area of less than 3,000 square feet, and do not include products designed and marketed exclusively for medical, scientific, or research purposes.
The standards with a compliance date of January 1, 2009 will save approximately 1.6 quads of energy and result in approximately $16 billion in energy bill savings for products shipped from 2009-2033. The standard will avoid about 85.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of about 16.8 million automobiles.
The standards with a compliance date of June 5, 2017 will save approximately 3.1 quads of energy and result in approximately $37 billion in energy bill savings for products shipped from 2017-2046. The standards will avoid about 159 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of about 30 million automobiles.
Recent Updates | Standards | Test Procedures | Waiver, Exception, and Exemption Information | Statutory Authority | Historical Information | Contact Information
DOE has published a technical amendment regarding energy conservation standards for certain refrigeration systems for walk-in coolers and freezers. 80 FR 69837 (November 12, 2015). In this notice DOE is amending the CFR to reflect the court's order vacating the six standards found in DOE's regulations pertaining to certain refrigeration systems used in walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer application. For more information please see the rulemaking page.
Standards for Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers
The following content summarizes the energy conservation standards for WICFs. The text is not an official reproduction of the Code of Federal Regulations and should not be used for legal research or citation.
Amended Standard
Walk-in coolers and walk-in freezer panels, doors, and refrigeration systems manufactured on or after three years after the date of publication in the Federal Register shall comply with the following standards:
Table 1. Standards for Doors Effective August 4, 2014
| Equipment Category |
Internal Rating Temp. (°F) |
External Rating Temp. (°F) |
Operating Temp. (°F) |
Equipment Class Designation* |
Maximum Daily Energy Consumption (kWh/day)** |
| Display Door |
35 (M) |
75 |
 32 |
DD.M |
0.04 × Add + 0.41 |
| -10 (L) |
75 |
 32 |
DD.L |
0.15 × Add + 0.29 |
| Passage Door |
35 (M) |
75 |
32 |
PD.M |
0.05 × And + 1.7 |
| -10 (L) |
75 |
32 |
PD.L |
0.14 × And + 4.8 |
| Freight Door |
35 (M) |
75 |
32 |
FD.M |
0.04 × And + 1.9 |
| -10 (L) |
75 |
32 |
FD.L |
0.12 × And + 5.6 |
*The meaning of the letters in this column is indicated in the columns to the left.
**Add represents the surface area of the display door; And represents the surface area of the non-display door.
Table 2. Standards for Refrigeration Systems Effective August 4, 2014
| Condensing Type |
Internal Rating Temp. (°F) |
Operating Temp. (°F) |
Condensing Location |
Capacity Range (Btu/h) |
Equipment Class Designation* |
Minimum AWEF (Btu/W-h)** |
| Dedicated Condensing |
35 (M) |
32 |
Indoor (I) |
<9,000 |
DC.M.I, < 9,000 |
5.61 |
| >9,000 |
DC.M.I, = 9,000 |
5.61 |
| Outdoor (O) |
<9,000 |
DC.M.O, < 9,000 |
7.60 |
| >9,000 |
DC.M.O, = 9,000 |
7.60 |
| -10 (L) |
32 |
Indoor (I) |
<9,000 |
DC.L.I, < 9,000 |
5.93 × 10-5 × Q + 2.33 |
| >9,000 |
DC.L.I, = 9,000 |
3.10 |
| Outdoor (O) |
<9,000 |
DC.L.O, < 9,000 |
2.30 × 10-4 × Q + 2.73 |
| >9,000 |
DC.L.O, = 9,000 |
4.79 |
| Multiplex Condensing |
35 (M) |
32 |
N/A |
N/A |
MC.M |
10.89 |
| -10 (L) |
32 |
N/A |
N/A |
MC.L |
6.57 |
*The meaning of the letters in this column is indicated in the columns to the left.
**Q represents the system gross capacity as calculated by the test procedure.
After a regulatory action has been completed, Executive Order 12866 requires agencies to identify the substantive changes between the draft submitted to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review and the action subsequently announced, and to identify those changes made at the suggestion or recommendation of OIRA.
Current Test Procedure
To determine compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedures specified at 10 CFR 431.304 for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. These are also in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- Test Procedure Correction, Federal Register, 76 FR 33631 (June 9, 2011)
- Test Procedure Correction, Federal Register, 76 FR 31795 (June 2, 2011)
- Test Procedure Final Rule, Federal Register, 76 FR 21580 (April 15, 2011)
- Docket No. EERE-2008-BT-TP-0014 contains notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents for the test procedure rulemaking
On October 21, 2011, DOE published a notice clarifying the test procedure compliance date, as well as other matters.
Amended Test Procedure:
DOE published a final rule regarding alternative efficiency determination methods and test procedures for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers.
The May 2014 final rule revised and expanded DOE’s existing regulations governing the use of alternative efficiency determination methods (AEDMs) for covered WICF products as alternatives to testing for the purpose of certifying compliance. The final rule also amended the test procedures published in April 2011.
To submit questions related to the implementation of the WICF test procedure, visit the Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions page.
Waivers
Test procedure waivers have not been issued for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers.
For information about obtaining test procedure waivers, see 10 CFR section 431 subpart V.
Exceptions
DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals has not authorized exception relief for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers.
For information about obtaining exception relief, see 10 CFR part 1003.
State Exemptions to Federal Preemption
DOE has not exempted any states from these energy conservation standards. States may petition DOE to exempt a state regulation from preemption by the federal energy conservation standard. States may also petition DOE to withdraw such exemptions. For details, see 10 CFR 431 subpart W.
The current energy conservation standards for commercial refrigeration equipment are mandated by Part A–1, the "Certain Industrial Equipment" of Title III of EPCA, as amended. (42 U.S.C. 6311–6317 ). This equipment is treated as covered equipment under Part A-1. (42 U.S.C. 6311(G))
The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 2007 (EPCA), as amended by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, prescribed energy conservation standards and test procedures for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers, which became effective on January 1, 2009.
EPCA directed DOE to publish test procedures to measure the energy use of walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. DOE conducted a rulemaking and published the test procedures on April 15, 2011, with a correction notice published on June 9, 2011.
EPCA also directed DOE to publish performance-based energy conservation standards for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. DOE conducted a rulemaking and issued the energy conservation standards on May 9, 2014.
Helpful Links and Contact Information
Helpful Links
Find tips and guidance for making your home, workplace, or vehicle more energy efficient visit EnergySaver.gov.
For more information related to the regulation of this product, please email:
walk-in_coolers_and_walk-in_freezers@ee.doe.gov
