When determining how to best manage the refrigerators in your facility, it is important to also consider energy efficiency. Energy-efficient refrigerators differ from less efficient models in the following ways: more efficient compressors, improved insulation, better door seals, improved condensers and evaporators, and more precise temperature controls and defrost mechanisms. Here are some refrigerator operating tips that can minimize energy use in your cafeteria:
- Don’t force the refrigerator to work harder than necessary by locating it near a heat source, such as a radiator, heating vent, kitchen range or dishwasher.
- Door seals are vital to maintaining the temperature difference between the inside of the refrigerator and the outside air. Check to make sure the refrigerator doors are sealing properly. To do this, close the door on a piece of paper and then try to remove the paper. If it slides out or moves easily, adjust the door or replace the seal (try this test in a number of places).
- Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrigerators and freezers because frost buildup increases the amount of energy needed to keep the motor running. Don’t let frost build up more than a quarter of an inch on the walls of the refrigerator and freezer.
- Move your refrigerator out from the wall and vacuum its condenser coils once a year (unless you have a no-clean condenser model). Refrigerators run for shorter periods with clean coils.
- Clean refrigerator condensers every three months.
- Don’t suffocate refrigerators by enclosing them tightly against the wall. Since most refrigerators reject heat from the bottom and/or back, they need adequate clearance to allow sufficient airflow. Two general rules-of-thumb are to double the space recommended by manufacturers for refrigerator installation, and to allow two inches of airflow around the refrigerator. Allow at least one inch of space on each side of a freezer to allow good air circulation.
- Try to purchase refrigerators with automatic moisture control. Models with this feature have been engineered to prevent moisture accumulation on the cabinet exterior without the addition of a heater. This is not the same thing as an “anti-sweat” heater. Models with an anti-sweat heater will consume 5 percent to 10 percent more energy than models without this feature.
- Consider using innovative technologies, such as adsorption refrigerators, which use low-temperature waste heat. They are capable of reducing peak demands for electricity, eliminating the use of ozone-depleting CFC refrigerants and improving electricity load factors.