How to Buy an Energy-Efficient Commercial Refrigerator and Freezer
Information about energy-efficient refrigerators and freezers in this section includes the following:
| Efficiency Recommendation Cost-Effectiveness Example Where to Find How to Select |
 |
Technology Options Sizing and Maintenance Tips For More Information |
Also provided is a portable document format version of How to Buy Energy-Efficient Refrigerators and Freezers (PDF 39 KB, 2 pp). Download Adobe Reader.
| Efficiency Recommendationa | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Type | Recommendedb | Recommendedc (24.0 cu. ft.) |
Best Available (24.0 cu. ft.) |
| Refrigerator | 0.10V + 2.04 kWh/day or less | 4.44 kWh/day | 3.97 kWh/day |
| Refrigerator-Freezer | 0.27AV - 0.71 kWh/day or less | 7.81 kWh/day | 5.86 kWh/day |
| Freezer | 0.40V + 1.38 kWh/day or less | 10.98 kWh/day | 6.79 kWh/day |
| Ice Cream Freezer | 0.39V + 0.82 kWh/day or less | 10.18 kWh/day | n/ad |
a This recommendation only covers solid-door, reach-in commercial refrigerators and freezers.
b Based on ASHRAE Standard Test Method 117-1992 Method of Testing Closed Refrigerators. Use the formula above to calculate the recommended daily energy consumption. "V" represents the volume of a commercial refrigerator in cubic feet. For dual temp models, "AV" represents the adjusted volume, which is the refrigerator volume plus 1.63 multiplied by the freezer volume in cubic feet.
c Best available energy use will vary for other sizes of commercial refrigerators and freezers.
d Data currently not available for models exceeding the recommended level for a 24 cubic foot commercial refrigerator.
| Cost-Effectiveness Example (Reach-in, Solid Door Refrigerator, 24.0 cubic feet) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | Base Model | Recommended Level | Best Available |
| Daily Energy Use | 5.2 kWh | 4.4 kWh | 3.1 kWh |
| Annual Energy Use | 1,891 kWh | 1,621 kWh | 1,132 kWh |
| Annual Energy Cost | $113 | $97 | $70 |
| Lifetime Energy Costa | $890 | $760 | $530 |
| Lifetime Energy Cost Savings | — | $130 | $360 |
a Lifetime Energy Cost is the sum of the discounted (present) value of annual energy costs based on continuous usage and an assumed life of ten years. Future electricity price trends and a discount rate of 3.2% are based on Federal guidelines (effective from April 2002 to March 2003).
Cost-Effectiveness Assumptions: The example shown assumes a commercial refrigerator will operate 24 hours per day, 365 days per year and that the electricity price is $0.06/kWh, the Federal average electricity price (including demand charges) in the U.S.
Using the Cost-Effectiveness Table: In the example shown above, purchasing a 24.0 cubic foot commercial refrigerator having a daily energy use at the recommended level of 4.4 kWh is cost-effective if its purchase price is no more than $130 above the price of the base model. The best available model having a daily energy use of 3.1 kWh is cost-effective if its price is no more than $360 above the price of the base model.
Where to Find Energy-Efficient Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers
The Federal supply source for commercial refrigerators is the General Services Administration (GSA). Energy efficient models can be purchased through supply schedule SAM 539, as well as through the online shopping network, GSA Advantage!. The North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM) also has information about commercial refrigerator manufacturers (see For More Information).
How to Select Energy-Efficient Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers
When buying a commercial solid door refrigerator choose a model that meets or exceeds ENERGY STAR® (see For More Information), all of which meet this recommendation. If a product is not labeled ENERGY STAR®, use the formula from the table to determine if it meets the efficiency recommendation. Because commercial solid door refrigerators are not subject to Federal appliance standards, they do not have Federal Trade Commission "EnergyGuide" labels identifying estimated energy usage and cost. Therefore, it will be necessary to obtain the daily energy use in kilowatt-hours (kWh/day) from the manufacturer. If the daily energy use of the product is less than or equal to the value calculated using the formula then it meets the efficiency recommendation.
Technology Options
Commercial refrigerators are designed to maintain an interior cabinet temperature between 36 and 40°F while freezers maintain temperatures between -2 and 2°F. Sizes range from small under counter (< 12 cu. ft.) products to large (> 100 cu. ft.) roll through units. Larger products are typically divided into smaller compartments each with its own door. Dual temperature products are available with both refrigerator and freezer compartments, much like residential refrigerators. Unlike residential refrigerators, dual temp products have separate compressors, condensers and evaporators for the refrigerator and freezer compartments. DOE's national appliance standard for residential refrigerators has helped to create a market of more energy efficient products that use much less energy than commercial refrigerators. When considering small dual temp refrigerators, buyers can achieve additional savings by choosing residential refrigerators. Check with your local building code or health department to see if residential refrigerators can be used in commercial applications. Ice cream freezers, also known as low temperature freezers, maintain interior cabinet temperatures a -5°F or less.
Sizing and Maintenance Tips
Select a refrigerator that is the appropriate size for its intended use. Oversized refrigerators will increase the initial cost and lead to excessive expense due to energy losses and under utilized capacity. Maintain the interior temperature at the proper setting for storing food products. Many commercial refrigerators are equipped with an externally mounted, digital thermometer which makes checking the internal temperature easy. Make sure that door gaskets and auto closers are maintained in good operating condition. Worn door gaskets and faulty auto closers allow warm air to enter the cabinet increasing energy consumption and possibly leading to food spoilage.
For More Information
- DOE's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) Help Desk and World Wide Web site have up-to-date information on energy-efficient Federal procurement, including the latest versions of these recommendations.
Phone: (877) 337-3463 - Environmental Protection Agency maintains a listing of ENERGY STAR® commercial refrigerators and freezers.
Phone (888) 782-7937 - North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM) is a trade organization that maintains a Web site with links to many companies that make and sell commercial refrigerators and freezers.
Phone: (312) 245-1054 - The Food Service Technology Center (FSTC) has several fact sheets and other publications on commercial refrigerators.
Phone: (925) 866-2844 - American Society for Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) publishes Standard Test Method 117-1992 Method of Testing Closed Refrigeratorsx.
Phone: (800) 527-4723 - Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory provided supporting analysis for this recommendation.
Phone: (202) 646-7950