Ecofriendly Design of a Commercial Refrigerator for Energy Efficiency Label

Abstract

Adopting hydrocarbon-based refrigerants (R290) and environmentally friendly designs can significantly positively impact energy consumption reduction and sustainability within the food service sector. In commercial kitchens, energy-intensive appliances like refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers are prevalent, consuming more energy than their household counterparts. These products come in various models and sizes based on enterprise needs. Energy efficiency labels are mandatory for many household products, such as white goods (e.g., refrigerators, washing machines) and electronic devices (e.g., screens), reflecting their energy performance. However, the energy efficiency label is currently limited to commercial coolers (refrigerators and freezers) in the commercial kitchen realm, following EU regulations 2015/1094 and 2015/1095. Ozti manufactures cooler products of diverse models and capacities, emphasizing the importance of energy consumption performance. The study evaluated the energy consumption performance of an innovative commercial refrigerator prototype. This evaluation included using M packages (Tylose test packages) during the test phase, adhering to the EN16825 standard. Apart from eco-friendly design considerations, the appropriate selection and placement of equipment like compressors and evaporators played a crucial role. As a result of employing hydrocarbon-containing refrigerant gas, the commercial refrigerator prototype demonstrated an impressive reduction of approximately 30% in energy consumption.