Refrigeration

Keep your cool and cut your refrigeration energy costs.

For many businesses, refrigeration is one of the biggest energy suckers. The good news is there are plenty of simple ways to save without risking food safety. With the right equipment and a few smart habits, you can protect your products and your budget.

Operate your fridge or freezer efficiently

Little changes make a big difference.

• Open fridge and cool‑room doors only when needed. Every open door lets cold air escape and warm air rush in
• Manage stock well. Consolidate products and restock in batches, ideally at night when it’s cooler
• Aim to keep fridges at least 60% full and freezers at least 75% full. A fuller unit stays colder for longer and cycles less often. Fill empty space with containers of water if you need to
• Spread items out in the freezer so cold air can flow freely and work faster
• One full fridge is more efficient than two half‑full ones
• If you’re loading or unloading heavily, turn the refrigeration off temporarily
• Set temperatures only as low as recommended. Regularly check your units to make sure temperatures stay consistent
• Adjust your defrost cycle or install an automatic control so ice doesn’t build up and slow your system down
• Run your system at the lowest condensing pressure you can
• Raise the evaporator temperature where possible to boost efficiency.

Keep your refrigeration cool

Help your system work smarter, not harder.

• Reduce heat around your units so they don’t have to push as hard
• Light‑coloured paint on external walls and the fridge unit helps reflect heat
• Install occupancy sensors or timed lighting in walk‑ins. Less heat from lights means less work for the compressor
• Use motion sensors on nearby outdoor lights to avoid unnecessary heat and energy use
• Choose LED, fluorescent or CFL lighting inside and around fridges to cut heat and energy use
• Add automatic door closers, strip curtains, air curtains or blinds on open display cases
• Make sure units are ventilated and kept out of direct sun or heat sources. Leave at least 80mm clearance behind condenser coils
• Use as much insulation as practical in walls, floors and ceilings
• Install dehumidifiers to control moisture, which helps your refrigeration run more efficiently
• Look for ways to reuse waste heat from your refrigeration system, like pre‑heating water or warming small spaces.

Choose energy efficient refrigeration systems

Modern systems can halve your energy use.

• When upgrading, choose higher star‑rated models. New units can use less than half the electricity
• Match your refrigeration to your needs: size, temperature, access, insulation, location and controls all matter
• A walk‑in controller can slow fans when full speed isn’t needed, reducing heat and saving energy
• Make sure your cold‑room size is right. Too big wastes energy. Too small works overtime
• Choose energy‑efficient case lighting to reduce the load on your cooling system
• Consider evaporative condensers instead of air‑cooled ones
• Scroll compressors run more efficiently than reciprocating ones and can reduce electricity use by up to 20%
• Liquid pressure pumps or electronic expansion valves help lower head pressure and cut running costs.

Maintain your equipment

Well‑kept fridges perform better.

• Schedule regular maintenance to keep units running efficiently. Listen for odd noises that may signal trouble
• Check and repair door seals, hinges and weather stripping
• Inspect mechanical and electrical components and keep coils and heat‑transfer surfaces clean
• Replace insulation damaged by moisture
• Keep fans clean and working well for strong cold‑air circulation
• Make sure your fridges are level so doors seal properly.