When purchasing commercial refrigeration for a business, the initial cost is not the only thing that a business owner should consider. Instead, the long-term cost of owning the refrigerator or freezer should also be a consideration. When shopping commercial refrigeration systems, one of the main factors that can affect the cost of ownership is monthly energy usage. A refrigeration unit that has a cheaper price tag may cost much more to operate than an efficient walk in cooler that has a higher initial purchase price. Many restaurateurs, grocery store and convenience store owners, and managers invest in Energy Star products such as the Imbera 31" Wide Merchandiser Freezer for savings throughout the life of a product.
An Energy Star rating is a rating that is given by the governmental Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This rating can be applied to a variety of household and commercial appliances and electronics, including but not limited to refrigeration equipment, cooking and heating appliances, televisions, and more. Any product that is Energy Star certified will be clearly labeled on its packaging with the Energy Star logo.
The EPA is very careful in giving out this rating and has a list of criteria that is used to determine if a product should be labeled as Energy Star certified.
The following points must be met in order for a commercial refrigeration system to be Energy Star rated:
THE PRODUCT MUST DEMONSTRATE THE ABILITY TO SAVE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF ENERGY WHEN COMPARED TO THE AVERAGE, NON-EFFICIENT UNIT.
EVEN THOUGH IT IS MORE EFFICIENT, THE PRODUCT SHOULD PERFORM AS WELL AS COMPARABLE PRODUCTS, EVEN THOSE THAT CONSUME MORE ENERGY.
FOR COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT, THIS MEANS THAT THE UNIT SHOULD BE ABLE TO HIT LOWER TEMPERATURES FOR FOOD SAFETY AND MAINTAIN THOSE TEMPERATURES, EVEN WHEN THE DOORS ARE FREQUENTLY OPENED.
ENERGY STAR RATED EQUIPMENT CAN COME AT A PREMIUM PRICE. HOWEVER, THE PRICE DIFFERENCE MUST BE MADE UP IN A FAIR AMOUNT OF TIME BY THE SAVINGS ON MONTHLY ENERGY BILLS.
All products that have this designation must be able to be tested and verified, proving that they are more efficient without sacrificing quality or performance.
Because of these guidelines, it is safe to assume that Energy Star rated commercial cooling equipment is designed to work just as well, if not better, than units that use more energy. On average, commercial refrigerators with the Energy Star label consume up to 40 percent less energy than standard units, which equals hundreds or even thousands of dollars in savings over time. In addition, this equipment may qualify for tax credits and additional special rebates, which vary from state to state.
An efficient refrigeration unit not only saves money, but it also comes with all of the features and performs just as well as other units. Energy-efficient appliances and equipment are also considered to be greener and better for the environment, which benefits everyone.
When shopping for commercial refrigeration equipment, the initial price is important but should never be the deciding factor. A more efficient Energy Star unit not only offers optimum performance, but it is better for the environment and the wallet.