Could your old refrigerators and freezers be a source of energy waste?
Because perishable products must be kept cold constantly, commercial refrigeration equipment runs on a continuous basis. This leaves FMs with few choices to improve the performance of their existing units.
A large commercial refrigerator used in grocery stores can consume up to 17,000 kWh of power per year, while a large freezer unit can use up to 38,000 kWh annually. Refrigeration can account for almost 40% of a building’s total energy use in supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, dining centers, and grocery stores.
But new efficiency standards are on their way for commercial refrigeration equipment, according to the DOE. Compared to the current 2009 standards, the updated guidelines will increase the efficiency of the average commercial unit by 30%.
The significant reductions in energy use are made possible by models that include LED lighting and occupancy sensors, high-performance glass doors, and high-efficiency motors.
