Refrigeration Equipment Tips

Energy-Saving Tips Cards

Picture of energy tip card

Download our hot weather energy-saving tips cards and reduce electricity costs as well as protect the environment.

No Cost

  • Check temperature settings of refrigerators. The most common recommended settings are between -14 degrees and -8 degrees Fahrenheit for freezers and between 35 degrees and 38 degrees Fahrenheit for refrigerators.
  • Do not leave the walk-in refrigerator door open when loading it. Install a plastic strip curtain over the entrance and save up to $20 per refrigerator each year.

Low Cost

  • Perform scheduled maintenance on refrigeration units. Keep evaporator coils clean and free of ice buildup.

Good Investment

  • Buy an ENERGY STAR commercial solid door refrigerator and freezer. Compared to standard models, ENERGY STAR refrigerators and freezers can lead to energy savings of as much as 46% with a 1.3 year payback. Purchasers can expect to save $140 annually per refrigerator and $100 per freezer.
  • Install energy-efficient case lighting. T8 fluorescent lamps and electronic ballasts reduce lighting energy use and reduce the cooling load on the compressor. Energy savings potential is 10% for beverage merchandisers.
  • Install evaporative condensers, instead of air-cooled condensers, to expel heat. Evaporative condensers use a wetted filter that increases the ability to reject heat. Energy savings range from 3 to 9% for grocery store refrigeration systems.
  • Install heat recovery systems to use heat removed from display cases to heat water. A 7.5 horsepower (hp) compressor can supply close to 100% of the hot water requirements in a medium-sized grocery store all year long.
  • Install lighting sensors in walk-in refrigerators. Install low temperature occupancy sensors or timed switches in walk-in coolers and freezers to control lighting. Not only does this save lighting energy, it reduces the load on the compressor. Save up to $250/year.