How to Buy an Energy-Efficient Commercial Ice Machine

Efficiency Recommendation
Cost-Effectiveness Example
Calculate Costs
Where to Find

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Efficiency Recommendation^a
Product Type	Ice Harvest Rate^b lbs per 24 hrs.)	Recommended	Best Available
Ice-Making Head^d
Air-Cooled	101-200	9.4 kWh or less	8.6 kWh
Air-Cooled	201-300	8.5 kWh or less	7.9 kWh
Air-Cooled	301-400	7.2 kWh or less	6.5 kWh
Air-Cooled	401-500	6.1 kWh or less	5.8 kWh
Air-Cooled	501-1000	5.8 kWh or less	5.4 kWh
Air-Cooled	1001-1500	5.5 kWh or less	5.0 kWh
Water-Cooled	201-300	6.7 kWh or less	5.9 kWh
Water-Cooled	301-500	5.5 kWh or less	4.7 kWh
Water-Cooled	501-1000	4.6 kWh or less	3.8 kWh
Water-Cooled	1001-1500	4.3 kWh or less	4.0 kWh
Water-Cooled	> 1500	4.0 kWh or less	3.5 kWh
Self-Contained^e
Air-Cooled	101-200	10.7 kWh or less	9.7 kWh
Water-Cooled	101-200	9.5 kWh or less	6.8 kWh
Water-Cooled	201-300	7.6 kWh or less	7.3 kWh
Remote Condensing^f
Air-Cooled	301-400	8.1 kWh or less	< 7.9 kWh
Air-Cooled	401-500	7.0 kWh or less	6.1 kWh
Air-Cooled	501-1000	6.2 kWh or less	5.4 kWh
Air-Cooled	1001-1500	5.1 kWh or less	4.5 kWh
Air-Cooled	> 1500	5.3 kWh or less	4.4 kWh

^a This recommendation covers machines generating 60 grams (2 oz.) or lighter ice cubes, and does not cover flaked, crushed or fragmented ice makers.
^b The ice harvest rate (capacity) is the amount of ice produced in 24 hours.
^c Based on ARI Standard 810.
^d Ice-making head units do not contain integral storage bins, but are generally designed to accommodate a variety of bin capacities. Storage bins entail additional energy use not included in the reported energy consumption figures for these units.
^e Self-contained units contain built-in storage bins.
^f Remote condensing units transfer the heat generated by the ice-making process outside of the building (comparable to split system air conditioners).

Cost-Effectiveness Example (Air-Cooled Ice-Making Head, 800 lbs. / 24 hours
Performance	Base Model	Recommended Level	Best Available
Energy Consumption (per 100 lbs. of ice production)	8.0 kWh	5.8 kWh	5.4 kWh
Annual Energy Use	8,000 kWh	5,800 kWh	5,400 kWh
Annual Energy Cost	$480	$350	$320
Lifetime Energy Cost^a	$2,800	$2,000	$1,900
Lifetime Energy Cost Savings	—	$800	$900

^a Lifetime energy cost is the sum of the discounted value of annual energy costs based on average usage and an assumed ice-maker life of 7 years. Future electricity price trends and a discount rate of 3.4% are based on federal guidelines (effective from April 2000 to March 2001).

Metric Conversions:
1 Ton = 12,000 Btu/h
1,000 Btu/h = 293 watts
°F = (1.8 * °C) + 32
1 Foot = 30.5 cm
1 lb. = 0.45 kg
1 gallon = 3.8 liters

Cost-Effectiveness Assumptions: Annual energy use in this example is based on the standard Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) test procedure for an air-cooled unit of capacity 800 lbs./24 hrs., producing 100,000 lbs. per year. The base model is the least efficient 800 lb./24 hrs. ice-maker available. The assumed 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, an ice-maker that just meets the recommended level, with an annual energy use of 5,800 kWh, is cost-effective if its purchase price is no more than $750 above the price of the base model. The best available model, with an annual energy use of 5,400 kWh, is cost-effective if its price is no more than $900 above the price of the base model.

Calculate Costs

Try FEMP's energy calculator to compare FEMP-recommended and best available ice machines.

Where to Find Energy-Efficient Commercial Ice Cube Machines

The Federal supply sources for ice-cube machines are the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and the General Services Administration (GSA). DLA sells ice-makers through its "Customer Value Contracts" program. GSA offers ice-cube machines on Schedule 73-III, as well as through its on-line shopping network, GSA Advantage! Select a model that meets the recommended level for that type and capacity. For a contractor-supplied ice-cube machine, specify an energy consumption rate that meets the efficiency recommendation.

Buyer Tips

The choice of which type of ice maker to purchase has significant energy implications. Generally, water-cooled models are more efficient than air-cooled. Another advantage of water-cooled models, as well as remote condensing units, is that the heat removed in ice making is discharged outside the building, thereby not adding to air-conditioning costs.

Potable water used directly in the ice-making process (including melting and release of cubes) ranges from 15-45 gallons per 100 lbs. of ice. Some self-cleaning models may use three times this much water, but save on labor costs for cleaning. Water-cooled units use a significant amount of condenser water; much of this can be recycled by using a cooling tower (as opposed to a "one-pass" system). At average federal prices, the cost of water represents only 10-30% of the electricity cost to make ice. However, water use may be a consideration for ice cube machines in some areas with high water costs or limited supplies. Data on water use are available in the referenced ARI directory (see For More Information).

Sizing

Oversizing of ice-cube machines can raise energy consumption unnecessarily due to excess standby losses. Your choice of ice-making capacity should reflect actual ice-cube demand.

For More Information

Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) publishes the Directory of Certified Automatic Commercial Ice-Cube Machines and Ice Storage Bins.
Phone: (703) 524-8800
The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) publishes the Refrigeration Handbook, which contains an instructive chapter on ice makers.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory provided supporting analysis for this recommendation.
Phone: (202) 646-7950