“Programs already promoting solid-door refrigerators now have an appropriate specification to promote glass-door units as well,” said CEE Commercial Program Manager Rachael Shwom, who is coordinating the new initiative.

The two-tiered specification is based on the California Energy Commission’s on-line database of commercial refrigeration equipment.

CEE’s Tier 1 is 30 percent more efficient than Tier 2 on the CEC database. CEC’s Tier 2 is a state minimum standard that is scheduled to become effective in March 2004.

CEE’s Tier 2 is 50 percent more efficient than CEC’s Tier 2. Manufacturer feedback was helpful in developing a final specification that was practical.

In most cases, the bottling company (such as Pepsi Bottlers Group) buys the equipment and places it in retail outlets. The most important characteristics of a glass-door, reach-in – from the beverage bottler’s perspective – are attractive lighting and rapid “cool down” capability. Energy efficiency is not an important factor because the retail outlet pays the electric bill. This split incentive is a major barrier to the adoption of energy-efficient models.

The Coca Cola Company, however, has publicly vowed to reduce the energy costs of its commercial refrigeration equipment by 50 percent and it is hoped that other major bottlers will follow suit.

CEE’s glass-door, reach-in initiative aims to increase awareness of the options for efficient equipment – by end-users, beverage companies and bottlers – to stimulate demand for this equipment.

CEE's Commercial Glass-Door, Reach-In Refrigerator Initiative seeks to:

• Establish a common specification for energy-efficient units
• Increase end-user understanding of the benefits of energy-efficient models
• Increase distributor promotion of these models
• Increase manufacturer production of these models

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