Commercial Refrigeration Is Essential. So Is Energy Efficiency.
The global commercial refrigeration industry plays a vital role in trade and daily life. Commercial and industrial refrigeration systems support safe food production and distribution, facilitate various manufacturing operations, and do so with little room for breakdowns. With increased price volatility and shrinking operating margins, companies are taking a closer look at cost-effective ways to enhance the energy efficiency of commercial refrigeration.
What Is Commercial Refrigeration? - A Definition
The industry encompasses a wide range of commercial refrigeration equipment and applications that many people may not be aware of.
Food Service
From walk-in coolers and freezers to display cases, restaurants, convenience stores, and grocery stores rely on refrigeration for end-use distribution. This category includes more niche equipment types, including wine coolers, refrigerated prep tables, and ice machines.
Food Processing
Blast chillers and freezers rapidly cool food to safe temperatures during processing and manufacturing, preventing bacterial growth and preserving quality.
Warehousing
Most types of produce, dairy, and other foodstuffs require refrigeration from processing to store shelves. This has led to a massive network of refrigerated warehousing and trucking to keep food safe and maintain texture and appearance.
Healthcare
Hospitals, clinics, and many other healthcare facilities rely on a robust refrigeration network to safely store and handle medications, vaccines, test samples, and other sensitive materials.
What Sets Commercial Units Apart
There are many other use cases, but all commercial refrigeration applications serve a few key purposes.
Durability and capacity: Commercial refrigeration equipment is built to withstand consistent, frequent use. It is often made from stainless steel for improved hygiene and ease of maintenance. It also holds a larger volume of food or other items.
Temperature consistency: Commercial units are designed to hold consistent temperatures despite the constant opening and closing that typifies commercial use.
Regulation: Business owners must use commercial units that meet stringent health and safety standards and adhere to energy efficiency regulations.
As you’d expect, industrial refrigerated warehouses and even walk-in freezers use considerable amounts of energy, and the scale presents a tremendous opportunity for improvement—and savings.
Commercial Refrigeration Energy Usage Statistics
Within the broader commercial sector, refrigeration systems account for approximately 7% of energy consumption. Historically, the main focus of commercial energy conservation in commercial facilities has been on HVAC and lighting. Since these two areas consume 65% of the sector’s energy use, it was a relevant decision. However, this led to a degree of underinvestment in commercial refrigeration energy efficiency, especially in supermarkets and convenience stores. Often referred to collectively as “food sales buildings”, these facilities account for 38% of refrigeration energy use, as well as roughly half of the individual buildings’ total consumption.
How Much Energy Does a Commercial Refrigerator Use?
While commercial refrigerators’ energy consumption varies by size, type, age, and other factors, equipment in food sales buildings has the highest energy intensity of the sector. The average refrigerator or freezer in a grocery store uses 87.1 million British thermal units (MBtu) per square foot, 74% of which are located in gas stations and convenience stores.
Commercial refrigerators: 17,000 kWh of electricity annually
Large commercial refrigerators: 38,000 kWh of electricity annually
Effective Energy Management for Commercial Refrigeration
The most effective way to reduce energy consumption is to upgrade equipment. ENERGY STAR commercial refrigeration equipment is 20-40% more energy efficient than non-certified models. There are numerous local, state, and federal rebates and credits available to make upgrading outdated equipment more affordable; Keen Technical Solutions will help you identify and utilize these financial tools to reduce project costs.
More Ways To Save
There are other ways to lower energy consumption, including:
Using the right size unit for your needs and avoiding overly large equipment
Reduce ambient temperature differences
Minimize unnecessary door openings
Keep equipment well-maintained
Avoid running equipment at temperatures colder than necessary
Use an equipment monitoring system, if possible
Discover Energy Efficiencies with Keen Technical Solutions
Your organization can unlock trapped energy and reduce waste to support more productive investments. Trust Keen Technical Solutions for a comprehensive energy audit and cost-effective upgrades for a short payback period and long-term savings. Contact our team today to get started.