Master-Bilt® Refrigeration News & Product Information


Keys To An Energy Efficient Walk-In

Operating an energy efficient walk-in cooler or freezer depends on several factors including planning, maintenance, options and training. With today’s skyrocketing energy costs, it makes sense to use every method at your disposal to ensure your walk in is energy efficient. In this article, we will give you a few pointers on keeping your walk in running at peak performance.

An Energy Efficient Walk-In Begins With Planning

Remember the old saying “failing to plan is planning to fail?” That applies to walk-ins as well. If you’re getting ready to purchase a cooler or freezer, some upfront prep and research will surely pay off.

First, make sure your walk-in cooler or freezer panels are insulated with polyurethane foam. For several reasons, including greater energy efficiency, polyurethane is the best choice. Polyurethane offers a higher R-value than other options and easily meets or exceeds Department of Energy R-value requirements for walk-in coolers and freezers.

Master-Bilt walk-in panels contain polyurethane insulation for highest efficiency.

Polyurethane foamed walk-in panels supply the highest energy efficiency.

Walk-in sizing is also important. But making sure your walk-in is the correct size for your business needs can be a bit of a challenge at times. On one hand, you don’t want to have to refrigerate a larger space than needed but, on the other, you should allow for future storage needs as your business grows. Consult with your equipment dealer or representative for advice if you’re unsure.

Once you have determined the right walk-in size, you’ll need a matching refrigeration system for your storage space and product temperature. Again, for the maximum energy efficiency, you don’t want to overdo it but don’t select an underpowered system, either.

Think about the types of products that will be stored in the walk-in. If possible, avoid bringing hot or warm products directly into the cold storage space which will raise the temperature and make the system work harder to keep everything cool. The harder the system works, the more energy it consumes.

If you have a situation where hot items must be immediately introduced to a cooler or freezer, again we recommend working with your dealer or representative to make sure the refrigeration system is designed to handle the extra load.

An Energy Efficient Walk-In Depends On Maintenance

 

A regular maintenance schedule can go a long way toward energy efficiency. A good place to begin is checking your condenser and evaporator coils for dirt and debris every three months. When airflow through these coils is blocked, the refrigeration system must work harder and uses more energy.

Regularly check items like door and panel gaskets, as well as door hardware, for wear and tear. Damage to these components can keep your door from sealing correctly. Without a proper seal, cold air inside escapes and your electricity bill increases.

If your doors aren’t closing correctly, you may need to adjust the door closer device typically at the top of the door.

And don’t forget about sweep gaskets. Attached to the bottom of the door with screws, sweep gaskets seal the gap between the bottom of the walk-in door and the door threshold or building floor.

If your door isn’t hanging level, your hinges most likely need adjusting. Many manufacturers design their doors with adjustable hinges which allow the door to be aligned without removal from the frame. Look for instructions in your manual or ask your dealer, representative or manufacturer.

An Energy Efficient Walk-In Uses LED Lighting

While there may be other types of lighting available, including incandescent, fluorescent and compact fluorescent, LED lighting is the most energy efficient, long lasting and brightest. In fact, LED lighting supplies brighter white output at 5000°K at 15% of the power usage.

Most standard walk-in lighting fixtures these days are LED but if you have non-LED lighting, it’s usually an easy procedure to replace bulbs.

LED fixture mounted above a walk-in door to prevent light from being blocked by shelving or other obstructions.

An energy efficient LED fixture mounted inside a walk-in above the door.

Electronic Controller Systems Boost Efficiency

Electronic controller systems are becoming much more commonplace these days. Frequently built into walk-in refrigeration systems, controllers increase not only energy efficiency but also connectivity and food safety.

Track refrigeration system performance remotely with electronic controllers.

Electronic controllers make your walk-in more energy efficient while also adding internet connectivity to your refrigeration system.

Electronic systems replace less reliable mechanical components and increase energy efficiency by up to 27%. Much of the energy usage in refrigeration systems comes from defrosting. Electronic controller systems feature demand defrost technology which only starts a defrost when it’s needed. On the other hand, traditional heaters are timer controlled and start defrosts whether needed or not. Other features in electronic controllers such as reverse cycle defrost and fan cycle options further boost energy savings.

Options That Help With An Energy Efficient Walk-In

Several options are available to increase energy efficiency in walk-ins. For example, electronic systems combining alarm and light management save energy with door open alarms and by turning lights off when the door is closed. Lights may also be controlled by an automatic timer or through occupancy sensors.

Energy efficient light management systems automatically turn off lights and feature door open alarms.

View windows supply a clear view of the walk-in interior, so you’ll know when lights are left on. Other benefits include increased security and lower possibility of theft, sabotage and employee non-production and unauthorized activities.

 

Walk-In with view window in door.

View windows supply a clear view of the walk-in interior, so you will know when lights are left on.

If your walk-in door must be opened often, vinyl curtains hold cold air inside the walk-in while the doors are briefly open. Curtains are available as hanging strips or as swinging clear panels.

 

Consider Refurbishment To Increase Efficiency

If your walk-in’s performance is suffering due to damaged panels or refrigeration systems, consider refurbishing. Replacement floors, doors and refrigeration systems boost efficiency and give your walk-in new life.

If you’re debating refurbishing or replacing a walk-in, here’s a good rule of thumb: if the walk-in still holds temperature and the damage is confined to one or two components (door, floor or refrigeration system), refurbishing is likely the more practical solution.

Walk-In replacement doors, floors and refrigeration systems.

Replacement floors, doors and refrigeration systems make your walk-in energy efficient again.

Staff Training Is Important

Don’t overlook the importance of your staff in increasing energy efficiency. Talk to them and post notices asking them to keep doors closed whenever possible and don’t prop open. Also ask them to turn off lights when the cooler or freezer is not in use.

The Right Combination For An Energy Efficiency Walk-In

Whether you’re just beginning the specification phase or have an existing structure, there are many things you can do to boost your walk-in’s energy efficiency. The right combination of planning, maintenance and options along with training will help reduce operational costs. If you would like help in planning a walk-in or upgrading an existing one, please give us a call at 800-647-1284.