ENERGY STAR Certifies Lab-Grade Cooling

Laboratory-grade refrigerators and freezers can now earn ENERGY STAR product certification, offering a way for medical and research facilities to cut costly energy bills.

The new ENERGY STAR specification recognizes the most energy-efficient products for storing non-volatile reagents and biological specimens in laboratory settings. A wide range of product types and sizes are eligible for certification, so customers can choose equipment at the right size and control level for their facilities’ needs.

“The EPA is excited to help the medical community reduce their high energy costs by highlighting more efficient refrigeration products,” says Ann Bailey, Branch Chief of the ENERGY STAR Products Program.

Additional energy savings in labs are possible with simple off-the-shelf technologies, the EPA adds. Consider auto-off lighting with LEDs, energy-efficient low-E glass for glass door refrigerators, more efficient cooling compressors, advanced microprocessor temperature control and defrost sensors, more efficient high-capacity air circulation systems and hot gas defrost solutions, and alternative refrigerants with low global warming potential.