Commercial refrigeration is a simple concept. It is the process by which food is kept fresh in commercial environments.
The main difference between commercial refrigeration and the domestic appliances that you use in the home are basically size, power, performance, build quality, features and price. Unlike domestic models which rarely vary in use, commercial refrigeration encompasses a wide range of purposes. Whether searching for glass door display and bottle coolers in bar refrigeration, storage fridges and freezers in restaurant refrigeration or display and open front multidecks in supermarket refrigeration, the demands for each workplace differ significantly. Each environment has its own set of needs to be fulfilled and therefore requires equipment that is built for that specific purpose. With so many types of equipment available, commercial refrigeration efficiency depends massively on making the right choice for the task in hand.
Commercial kitchen refrigeration will generally be used for storage in high ambient temperatures and therefore must be able to hold precision temperatures even when doors are opened frequently. Bar refrigeration needs to not only hold drinks at optimum serving temperature but also present the merchandise and generate an attractive bar area. Shop fridges will typically be for display purposes and may have glass doors or an open front design for quick access to grab and go products.
Whether you're looking for storage or display refrigeration, we can give you a good starting point to guide you through key features to look for when choosing efficient commercial refrigeration and also a few tips on how to maintain ongoing efficiency once your equipment is in use.
What to Look for When You Buy Energy-Efficient Commerical Refrigeration
With soaring energy prices and the growing climate crisis, it is more important now than ever to select equipment that will waste minimal energy. There are a few things to look for when choosing your energy-efficient commercial refrigeration.
Energy Rating
Minimum Energy Performance Standards or MEPS are required for most solid door storage refrigeration however will eventually be rolled out to incorporate all types of equipment. MEPS ratings are allocated following standardised testing under regulated conditions. This allows to customers to see at a glance how efficient a piece of equipment is when used for its intended purpose. Each piece of equipment is scored from A to G (since 2021) with A being the most efficient and G the least. Previously this was on a scale of A+++ to G.
Caution is advised though. A display fridge designed for a shop floor that shows to have high efficiency ratings wouldn't fare well if placed in the heat of commercial kitchen. Not only would efficiency and performance be poor but the equipment lifespan would be significantly reduced. It is important to only use equipment as it is intended by the manufacturer to maximise energy efficiency and performance. This ties in neatly with climate class ratings.
Climate Class
The climate class of a commercial fridge gives the maximum ambient temperature in which it can operate at maximum efficiency. Climate class 4 equipment is designed to maintain efficiency in temperatures up to 30°C, which may be suitable for most environments. However, it is ideal to purchase climate class 5 products, which can operate in temperatures of 40°C and higher especially when positioning in a commercial kitchen where heat kicked out by catering equipment can significantly raise the ambient temperature.
Open vs Closed Refrigerators
Open-fronted multideck refrigerators and coolers are ideal for retail refrigeration. However, the energy costs of maintaining these are high, as cold air is able to escape. Fitting doors onto such products can reduce energy costs by 40%.
Quality Components
Although it may be tempting to choose the cheapest commercial refrigerators available when considering budget, but they will not last long or perform as effectively or efficiently. A standard condenser, that can see a reduction in airflow of up to 94% in 12 months, pales in comparison to the more efficient stay clear condenser that comes as standard with the Commercial Kitchen Efficiency award winning Foster EcoPro G3.
Top Tips to Improve Commercial Refrigeration Efficiency
You researched your new piece of commercial refrigeration equipment and settled on a unit that meets your requirements and satisfies your efficiency demands. What next? Well, it is no use having all hardware without knowing how to use it to it's maximum potential. Here are some tips to ensure your commercial refrigeration efficiency is at its highest.
- Positioning: You must ensure you place your commercial equipment in an environment that agrees with its climate class. Don't place refrigeration near cooking equipment in the kitchen. The heat and cold located in the same area will conflict and cause efficiency and performance issues all round. Similarly try to place shop refrigeration in a position where there is good airflow. During the summer, windows and doors should be opened or air con used to keep temperatures cool and in winter use heat to try and keep ambient temperatures above 10°C otherwise the compressor could eventually fail.
- Airflow: Steady internal and external airflow helps keep your commercial refrigerator at a constant temperature. Maintaining an optimal temperature is key to maximising efficiency. It's recommended to have around 10cm around refrigeration units to allow air to circulate effectively.
- Don’t Overstock: It is easy to get overexcited and fill your commercial refrigerators to the brim. This is a bad idea. Doing so means that the cold air cannot circulate properly, so items are cooled irregularly. Some may come close to freezing while others are barely kept cool. Not only does this jeopardise the quality of stock but also places unnecessary pressure on the equipment.
- Cleaning and Maintenance: If you fail to maintain a clean fridge, your commercial refrigeration efficiency will plummet. Components will begin to break and products will become unsellable. Condensers and vents should be cleaned of dirt or dust every 1 - 2 weeks to guarantee good airflow to refrigeration components. Door seals and temperature ranges should be checked regularly to optimise efficiency and ensure ongoing performance. If in doubt about anything, it is always best to contact a professional.
- Setting the Correct Temperature: Setting your commercial refrigerator’s temperature to either too high or too low could have serious effects on its contents and on the performance and efficiency of the equipment itself. Typically around 4°C to 5°C for fridges and -18°C for freezers is average to maintain the quality, condition and safety of products stored however this will vary for different types of food such as dairy, meats and fish or ice cream and gelato.
Commercial Refrigeration Brands to Look Out For
You now have the knowledge of what to look for in a commercial refrigerator and how to optimise its efficiency. So, what are some good brands for you to start browsing?
- Foster specialises in solid-door commercial cabinet refrigeration and glass door display alternatives. It has earned Commercial Kitchen Efficiency awards for its top-standard products.
- Tefcold specialises in commercial multideck refrigerators with doors and a full range of other storage and display refrigeration.
Both of these top brands provide the perfect balance of efficiency and quality, not only for equipment performance but also for equipment longevity.
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