Four ways to decrease commercial refrigeration energy consumption
Keeping a commercial refrigeration unit running accounts for a large percentage of energy consumption rates in businesses that use them. This can slash your profit margins down by a lot, especially if your business uses multiple refrigeration units, such as in a grocery store.
Decreasing energy consumption rates should be a priority for any business that uses commercial refrigeration. Take a look at these four tips for reducing energy consumption in your commercial refrigeration to help your business save money:
1. Inspect the doors
A fault in the doors is often the culprit behind an increase in energy consumption in your commercial refrigeration units. It’s important to regularly inspect your refrigeration doors to detect signs of any faults. Look for breaks or cracks in the gaskets, leaks, rust on the hinges, broken hinges and feel for leaks of cool air.
2. Use adaptive anti-sweat systems
When the temperature outside of the refrigeration unit is warm, condensation can build up on the glass of the door. This makes it difficult for customers to view the products inside. It can also create a potential slipping hazard if puddles build up beneath the door. That’s why many businesses use anti-sweat systems in their refrigeration doors.
Anti-sweat systems can consume a lot of energy, so you shouldn’t run them all the time. Instead, you can install an adaptive control system to activate them only when necessary. This can keep your doors clear of condensation while minimizing energy consumption rates.
3. Keep refrigeration units away from heat sources
Heat sources in kitchens and other systems in commercial buildings make refrigeration units work harder to keep their contents cool. Optimize the location of your refrigeration units away from sources of heat to keep energy consumption rates at a minimum.
4. Regularly clean and service your refrigeration units
Over time, the components in your refrigeration equipment can get dirty or wear down from use. Regularly inspecting and cleaning these components can reduce energy consumption rates and prolong the lifespan of the equipment. Usually, businesses will consult a refrigeration professional for routine maintenance and cleaning to keep energy costs low and avoid expensive errors that could develop unnoticed without an inspection.
Contact Energy Optimization for commercial refrigeration optimization services
Our energy professionals at Energy Optimization are trained and experienced in optimizing refrigeration units in a variety of industries. Our team can install adaptive controls and retrofit optimized equipment into your existing refrigeration units. Contact us today to talk to one of our team members about our commercial refrigeration energy solutions.