Energy efficiency is a topic to consider when it comes to commercial refrigeration and conservation equipment. This equipment consumes significant amounts of energy and can represent a considerable part of the operating costs of commercial establishments.
It is essential to understand what aspects contribute to maximising energy consumption and how to minimise it, i.e. understanding sustainable best practices for commercial refrigeration.
Thus, later on, we will recommend effective measures to adopt in energy saving, the aspects where it is possible for the customer to reduce costs, how to contribute to the preservation of the environment and promote a more sustainable activity.
What is an energy efficient commercial chiller?
Typically, the energy efficiency of a piece of equipment is perceived through energy labelling, which was updated by the European Union in 2021, based on its regulation on eco-design requirements for refrigeration equipment. This guideline makes it possible to classify energy-efficient products on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and to detail the annual energy consumption in kWh. Depending on the product segment concerned, other indicators are further assessed, such as the total exposure area, the temperature variation and the maximum ambient and internal temperature of each equipment. This 2021 regulation repeals and replaces the old 2010 EU regulation. In addition, for the first time this measure includes repairability and recyclability requirements that contribute to the circular economy, improve the lifetime, maintenance, reuse, upgrading and treatment of equipment components. Below are two different energy efficiency labels available for FRICON solutions.
Sustainable best practices at the point of sale
The easiest way to keep energy levels down is to invest in the latest generation of efficient FRICON equipment. However, there are simple tips and practices that, when implemented, can contribute to a significant reduction in energy consumption and operating costs:
Product organisation and storage capacity
It is important to ensure the integrity and organisation of the product at the point of sale, in order to maintain the normal flow of air and the respective refrigeration / preservation of food. For this, the product must be displayed without exceeding the marked load line, which ensures the ideal temperature of the product, prevents its deterioration and consequently reduces food waste.
In addition, when a refrigeration device exceeds its maximum recommended capacity, it is subject to greater effort to maintain the ideal internal temperature. This causes a spike in energy consumption due to the constant overloading of the refrigerated equipment to meet the high demand. Thus, the efficiency of the equipment becomes low resulting in higher operating costs. Therefore, the maximum storage capacity indicated in the user manual for each piece of equipment should be guaranteed.
Also, this overloading can lead to rapid wear of refrigeration equipment components, such as the motor and compressor, as they are subjected to additional stress. This makes the equipment prone to potential failures, requiring frequent maintenance and, consequently, consuming a lot of resources and reducing the lifetime of the solution.
Regular maintenance of equipment
To ensure sustainable best practices, it is essential to carry out frequent maintenance on the equipment to ensure its normal activity and prevent possible constraints.
To do this, it is important to clean the condenser coil every three months to avoid the accumulation of residues. This will prevent the equipment from overheating and ensure efficient operation. Another option is to opt for models with wire on tube condensers, which require less maintenance.
It is also necessary to remove, sanitise and check all the seals on the equipment doors frequently. Skipping this step means contributing to an unintended increase in energy consumption, as it will need more power to maintain the right temperature. However, replacing the door seals is a relatively simple task and frequent maintenance can prevent any problems. When cleaning, the insulating properties of the equipment must be ensured so as not to jeopardise its performance.
Proper defrosting
Proper defrosting of conservation equipment is of great importance to ensure its full operation and efficiency.
When ice builds up on the cooling coils, it is possible that the airflow will be negatively affected and heat will be transferred into the equipment. This can lead to an unexpected increase in energy consumption, a decrease in the ability to cool food and potentially an overall failure of the refrigeration system. In addition, ice build-up can lead to water inside the solution and therefore to malfunction and breakdown of the solution.
Finally, proper and scheduled defrosting is important to maintain energy efficiency and extend the useful life of the equipment. For this, it is recommended to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to carry out this entire process, which should be carried out regularly as needed.