What Factors Determine the Cost of Operating a Walk-In Freezer?
Posted on: 29 October 2019
Are you building a walk-in freezer in your restaurant? If so, it's essential to understand what it will cost you to run the cooler. These rooms are used to store foods that would go bad when left under room temperature; thus, they run 24/7 as long as your restaurant is in operation. This can translate into high annual energy costs.
However, by analysing the factors that affect the cost of running a freezer, you can come up with an energy-efficient cooler. You will cut down the energy costs and subsequently lower the cost of running the restaurant. Below are the key factors that determine the cost of running your walk-in freezer and tips to reduce energy consumption.
Freezer Construction
Your freezer's construction determines its energy consumption. The materials used and insulation will dictate the amount you pay for keeping the freezer operational at all times. Invest in the construction project by getting high-quality materials and a professional builder for the cooler.
Ensure that the room has adequate insulation, especially on the walls and flooring. If you install it above another room, condensation can build up on the floor, and the unit will consume more energy as it tries to get rid of the moisture. When paired with quality materials, adequate insulation can prevent heat transfer and lower energy consumption in the freezer room.
Location of the Freezer Room
In most restaurants, the walk-in cooler is usually built near the kitchen for easy access to foods. While this promotes efficiency, it can also mean more energy consumption. Commercial kitchens typically have high temperatures due to continuous cooking operations throughout the day. If the heat moves to your freezer room, you will spend a lot of energy on cooling.
Choose your installation location carefully. Have your freezer room away from the heat of the kitchen. If this isn't possible, ensure there's adequate insulation between the two rooms to prevent heat transfer. Also, do not install the freezer in a location that receives direct sunlight or near your commercial water heater as these will increase cooling costs, too.
Frequency of Access
Every time someone opens the door to the freezer, some cold air is lost to the environment. Your cooler has to work harder to keep the air inside cold. The more the number of times employees access the freezer room, the higher the energy consumption. Train your workers to reduce the number of times they visit the freezer room to save energy.
For example, your workers can have a list of all the things they need from the freezer at a time. They should pick them all at once to avoid multiple visits to the room. You can also consider installing automatic door closers so that the freezer doors don't remain open for extended periods.
Keeping a freezer room cool and maintaining the freshness of food can cost you much every year. Have these energy-saving tips in mind when during freezer room construction, and you will make significant annual savings on energy consumption.
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