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How to Select
When buying a commercial solid door refrigerator or freezer choose a model that meets or exceeds ENERGY STAR® Because commercial solid door refrigerators are not subject to federal appliance standards, they do not have Federal Trade Commission Energy Guide labels identifying estimated energy usage and cost.
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Energy Star® Efficiency Recommendation
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Product Type
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Recommended
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Recommended (24.0 cu.ft.)
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Best Available (24.0 cu.ft.)
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Refrigerator
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0.10V + 2.04 kWh/day or less
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4.44 kWh/day
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3.97 kWh/day
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Refrigerator-Freezer
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0.27AV - 0.71 kWh/day or less
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7.81 kWh/day
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5.86 kWh/day
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Freezer
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0.40V + 1.38 kWh/day or less
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10.98 kWh/day
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6.79 kWh/day
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Ice Cream Freezer
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0.39V + 0.82 kWh/day or less
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10.18 kWh/day
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n/a
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Therefore, it will be necessary to obtain the daily energy use in kilowatt-hours (kWh/day) from the manufacturer. If the daily energy use of the product is less than or equal to the value calculated using the formula found in the table above, then it meets this efficiency recommendation.
Technology
Commercial refrigerators are designed to maintain an interior cabinet temperature between 36 and 40 °F while freezers maintain temperatures between -2 and 2° F. Sizes range from small under-counter (< 12 cu. ft.) products to large (> 100 cu. ft.) roll-through units.
Larger products are typically divided into smaller compartments each with its own door. Dual temperature products are available with both refrigerator and freezer compartments, much like residential refrigerators. Unlike residential refrigerators, dual temp products have separate compressors, condensers and evaporators for the refrigerator and freezer compartments. The Department of Energy’s national appliance standard for residential refrigerators has helped to create a market of more energy efficient products that use much less energy than commercial refrigerators.
When considering small dual temp refrigerators, buyers can achieve additional savings by purchasing residential refrigerators. Check with your local building code or health department to see if residential refrigerators can be used in commercial applications. Ice cream freezers, also known as low temperature freezers, maintain interior cabinet temperatures at -5° F or less.
Sizing and Maintenance
Select a refrigerator that is the appropriate size for its intended use. Oversized refrigerators will increase the initial cost and lead to excessive expense due to energy losses. Maintain the interior temperature at the proper setting for storing food products. Many commercial refrigerators are equipped with an externally mounted, digital thermometer which makes checking the internal temperature easy.
Make sure that door gaskets and auto closers are maintained in good operating condition. Worn door gaskets and faulty auto closers allow warm air to enter the cabinet increases energy consumption and can lead to food spoilage.
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