Energy-Saving Refrigeration Systems
If your business uses industrial refrigeration to cool food products, machinery, and large rooms, refrigeration costs make up a large chunk of your energy expenses. However, you can minimize costs and maximize efficiency by partnering with Brandt to carefully choose your design, refrigerant, and equipment.
Energy Conservation Opportunities in Refrigeration Systems
When designing and installing an industrial refrigeration system for your business, you have many equipment and cooling options to choose from. There are several ways to reduce energy costs when choosing commercial refrigerators and freezers for your grocery store, convenience store, food and beverage manufacturing plant, or industrial operation.
The main factors in a refrigeration system that contribute to energy use are refrigerants, control systems, and equipment. By optimizing these items and updating old systems, you’ll see your energy usage drop significantly.
Choosing Commercial Refrigerants
You can increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by selecting the right refrigerant option for your system. There are a few common industrial refrigerants that businesses have used over the years:
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs): The Environmental Protection Agency is phasing out the use of CFCs such as R-22 freon in refrigeration systems because they erode the ozone layer when released into the atmosphere. There are more energy-efficient alternatives to CFCs that won’t harm the environment.
- Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): HFCs are man-made refrigerant gases used in commercial settings. HFCs are more environmentally friendly than CFCs; they don’t deplete the ozone layer when released. There are many HFC refrigerant blend options commonly used in commercial systems.
- Ammonia: Unlike CFCs and HFCs, ammonia is a natural gas. Ammonia is one of the oldest refrigerant options, and it uses less energy than HFCs, making it the most efficient refrigerant option out of the bunch. Plus, ammonia costs less than artificial refrigerants because it is found in nature and readily available.
When it comes to energy usage, ammonia is the most efficient refrigerant option because of its quick cooling abilities. Our Brandt refrigeration team members help businesses save money on energy costs by designing, installing, and maintaining ammonia refrigeration systems.
Optimizing Industrial Refrigeration Control Systems
Your industrial refrigeration control system allows you to manage the temperature and pressure in your refrigerator. Using energy-efficient control systems on your industrial refrigeration system can reduce power usage and save money. There are various cutting-edge control system technologies available to business owners that automatically monitor equipment usage and adjust refrigerator settings to conserve energy.
As your refrigeration system works to cool items to a target degree, software control systems monitor temperature and ensure that the refrigeration system doesn’t overcool the space. As a result, you need fewer defrost cycles to prevent frost from forming on the refrigeration coils. Automated control systems come with steep upfront costs, but they can save you money in the long run. Energy management is much easier when you can see exactly how your equipment performs and when you use technology to optimize function.
Updating Commercial Refrigeration Equipment
Outdated commercial refrigeration equipment often contributes to high energy costs. There are four main components of refrigeration systems that work in harmony to optimize energy efficiency: compressors, evaporators, condensers, and metering devices. Compressors and condensing units typically use the most energy in the refrigeration cycle, so finding the right equipment is crucial if you want to increase efficiency.
During the refrigeration process, compressors heat and condense refrigerant vapor so the condensing unit can effectively draw out heat. Finding the right compressor to fit your operational needs will significantly reduce energy usage. Choosing a suitable condenser will also contribute to higher efficiency. Industrial condensers use either water or air to draw heat from refrigerants. Save energy by installing a condenser that is just large enough to properly cool your refrigerant and increasing fan motor speed in an air-cooled system.
Install an Energy-Efficient Refrigeration System
Because most energy usage in the U.S. stems from commercial operations, the Department of Energy has minimum efficiency standards for commercial appliances. Installing an energy-efficient refrigeration system is a great way to comply with government regulations and save your business money.
The opportunity to conserve energy in your refrigeration begins with the design and installation process. The product options you choose dictate energy efficiency, and Brandt gives you the opportunity to select a custom refrigerator system that we design with your operations and goals in mind.
Brandt Increases Commercial Refrigeration Efficiency
At Brandt, we design, install, and monitor industrial refrigeration systems that work perfectly for your needs and save your business money on energy costs. We prioritize high-quality, reliable refrigeration products, and we are available 24 hours a day to ensure your refrigeration system is working the way it should.
Contact us today to learn more about our industrial refrigeration system design and installation process and how our remote monitoring services increase efficiency.