August 19, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Howard Newman, CEE Communications Director
617-589-3949, ext. 209

PRESS KIT

Efficient commercial refrigeration options save energy, money
Refrigerators and ice-makers pay for themselves in two years or less

The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) recently launched the first national initiative for energy-efficient commercial refrigeration. Through this program, CEE is promoting commercial solid-door, reach-in refrigerators (and freezers) and commercial ice-makers that can save 15-50 percent of energy costs.

Because commercial refrigeration equipment operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, these energy savings can make a significant impact on overall electricity consumption and help reduce the risk of major power outages.

Working through CEE, local utilities and energy organizations are beginning to show interest in advancing equipment sales through rebates and educational programs.

The CEE Web site now contains sections about Commercial Solid-door, Reach-in Refrigerators and Freezers and Commercial Ice-makers.

Click here for the specifications.

"Commercial refrigeration has many untapped opportunities," said CEE Commercial Program Manager Rachael Shwom. "The incremental costs are low and the energy savings are substantial."

Fifteen members participated in the development of CEE's commercial refrigeration initiatives. Tacoma Power (Cool Rebates) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) are currently running a rebate programs (see page 3 of press kit).

Efficiency Vermont has also shown strong interest, with several other CEE members likely to implement programs in the near future. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has been particularly active in generating research for CEE's Commercial Refrigeration Committee.

COMMERCIAL REACH-IN REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER INITIATIVE Solid-door, reach-in refrigerators (used primarily by restaurants) and freezers represent 92 trillion BTUs of annual primary energy consumption, with attainable energy savings of up to 50 percent.

Market research has indicated that there is an ample selection of products at Tier 1. Availability of Tier 2 products is somewhat less but cost-effective technologies currently exist that would enable production of reach-ins at this performance level.

CEE's Tier 1 specifications for both refrigerators and freezers are set at the ENERGY STAR^® levels, which were established in September 2001. CEE has also added a second tier: 40 percent more efficient than ENERGY STAR for solid-door, reach-in refrigerators and 30 percent more efficient than ENERGY STAR for solid-door, reach-in freezers.

The qualifying products list for refrigerators and freezers are posted on the CEE Web site.

COMMERCIAL ICE-MAKER INITIATIVE
Energy savings of 15-20 percent are currently available for commercial ice-makers, which use 13 trillion BTUs of primary energy annually. Hospitals make up about 39 percent of the end-user market for this equipment, followed by hotels (22 percent) and restaurants (14 percent).

There is a wide variety of ice-making products. CEE's ice-maker specification includes 10 different categories, sorted by size, model type and technology. It is based on the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) specification, which was developed in 1996 and updated in 1999. Technologies are currently available that would enable commercial ice-makers to surpass CEE's Tier 1 levels by 20 percent.

The qualifying products list for ice-makers is posted on the CEE Web site.

ABOUT CEE
CEE is a national, nonprofit, public benefits corporation that promotes energy-efficient technologies and products. There are 70 CEE members in 21 U.S. states and Canada. Members include utilities, energy-efficiency organizations, state energy offices, environmental groups and research organizations.

Back to top