Businesses that rely heavily on cooling equipment to keep stock or processes chilled or frozen will be all too familiar with the high cost of refrigeration and freezing. It’s possible to bring down your refrigeration energy costs by around 20% just by adopting a few simple best practices in the workplace...

1. 5 easy tips for reducing business
refrigeration costs
Businesses that rely heavily on cooling equipment to keep stock or
processes chilled or frozen will be all too familiar with the high cost
of refrigeration and freezing. Collectively, British businesses such as
pubs and clubs, supermarkets, food production, cold storage and
even small corner shops spend over £300 million on refrigeration
each year. Thankfully, it’s possible to bring down your refrigeration
energy costs by around 20% just by adopting a few simple best
practices in the workplace.
1 Get the Temperature Right
When chilling or freezing products, setting refrigerators to the
correct level can make a big difference. A freezer that’s two degrees
cooler than required wastes around £30 worth of energy each year
– which can really add up quickly in facilities where multiple units
are in use. Check the temperature requirements for the products
that need to be refrigerated and don’t set the thermostat lower
than it needs to go. 4 Insulate to Accumulate
Insulating your freezer and refrigeration units can also help to
2 Stay Up to Date with Maintenance reduce running costs. Although most people generally think of
Poorly maintained freezers and fridges cost more to run than their heating systems when discussing insulation, it can prevent cooling
well-kept counterparts and usually have to be replaced more systems from warming up due to environmental factors which
frequently which, of course, inevitably results in additional financial usually results in more energy being used to maintain the correct
outlay. By making sure that seals are in good condition and that temperature. Both pipes and the area round the cooled space can
leaks are quickly repaired, as well as keeping evaporators and be insulated.
condensers clean and free from ice, debris and other obstructions,
you can save money on running costs and will need to replace units 5 Upgrade to Energy Efficient
less often.
Newer appliances and large scale cooling units tend to be much
more efficient than older models, often using 30% less energy.
3 Close the Door Naturally, this translates into more money in your pocket. The
Just as faulty seals and leaks can cost you money, leaving the door Carbon Trust recommends replacing older equipment with new
of a fridge or freezer open has a big – and negative – impact on energy efficient models using the Enhanced Capital Allowance
its energy efficiency by raising the temperature inside the unit. Scheme (ECAS) both to lower your energy bills and reduce your
Minimise the number of times the doors are open and ensure that business’s carbon footprint.
doors aren’t left open for any longer than absolutely necessary
to stay on top of overheads and avoid having to defrost your For more easy energy efficient tips for businesses, visit the npower
equipment so often. blog.
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Limited (Registered No. 2845740) for the supply of electricity, Npower Yorkshire Limited (Registered No. 3937808) who also act as an agent for Npower Yorkshire Supply Limited (Registered No. 4212116) for the supply of electricity. Registered in England and
Wales. Registered Office: Windmill Hill Business Park, Whitehill Way, Swindon SN5 6PB.