Don’t Waste Energy with Old Coolers and Freezers

The DOE has finalized a new rule that will improve the energy efficiency of walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers (WICFs), which is projected to save around 80 billion kWh over 30 years as well as avoid 159 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions. By 2030, the annual savings from the more efficient equipment, primarilu used in the food service and food sales industries, is expected to be equivalent to 0.5% of commercial energy use in 2014.

The new standard will affect six refrigeration classes of WICFs and was reached as part of a settlement between the DOE and the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), which included negotiations and amending existing standards on a consensus basis. Organizations and facilities using equipment covered by the standard are expected to save between $3.98 and $9.9 billion over 30 years. Learn more about the rule here.