Commercial Refrigeration
Save up to 50% on refrigeration costs with a mix of high-efficiency equipment, controls, and regular maintenance.
Refrigeration is always on, which is why it consumes up to 50% of the energy in a typical grocery store. Investing in energy-efficient equipment and controls can lower your utility bills and keep food fresher longer. Get more out of your existing equipment with some important low- and no-cost fixes. Clean coils regularly, replace gaskets, set thermostats no lower than required, use LEDs, and install automatic door closers.
Where Refrigeration Is Found
It might be easier to list where refrigeration is not found, since it appears almost everywhere. Hospitals, farms, industrial food processors, inns and restaurants, schools, grocery stores—any place that has to keep food or medicine cold makes use of refrigeration. And because refrigeration runs all day and night, improvements related to it can deliver impressive savings.
- Save with ENERGY STAR® certified models, which are on average 40% more efficient
- Reduce food waste by keeping refrigerated items fresher longer
- Boost sales with better, more efficient refrigeration lighting
Parts and Equipment
In addition to seeking out new ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators, ice makers, and freezers, consider low-cost ways to boost the efficiency of your existing equipment. Make sure doors and display cases seal tightly. Installing a strip curtain behind your walk-in’s door will lower the amount of conditioned air lost when employees enter or exit. LED lighting in cases and walk-ins will reduce cooling load on the compressor. And for grocery store display cases, a continuous cover can save money by reducing how much cooled air is wasted overnight, when the store is closed.
- Lose less conditioned air by installing walk-in strip curtains
- Stop wasting energy overnight by using continuous display covers
- Retrofit display cases with occupancy sensors and high-efficiency LED bulbs
Refrigerant Leak Detection and Repair
Refrigerant leaks are caused by the inevitable wear and tear on a refrigeration system. When there is a leak, electric use increases, and equipment becomes less reliable. Businesses with a significant amount of refrigeration can benefit from repairing leaks and making systems tighter.
Preventative leak detection and repair improves equipment reliability, reduces refrigerant expenses, and increases energy efficiency while mitigating the environmental impact of refrigerant leaks. Refrigeration is a large contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, either directly though the emission of global warming refrigerants or indirectly through the emission of CO2 in the energy produced to run refrigeration systems.
Try these preventative maintenance best practices:
- Perform regular maintenance
- Conduct thorough leak checks at regular intervals
- Install an automated leak detection system
Motors and Controls
High-efficiency condensing units, evaporator fan motors and controls are a cost-effective way to save money, because they run refrigerators only when the system calls for cooling. This is particularly important for produce, which can dry out when exposed to too much airflow. Floating head pressure controls help compressors run more efficiently, while heater controls reduce condensation on display cases only when needed.
- Low-cost controls can yield significant savings
- Longer-lasting produce means less waste
- Safer food through advanced temperature sensors and alerts