With the substantial energy costs associated within the foodservice industry, maintaining an efficient and properly operating outdoor walkin cooler or freezer unit can be essential for preserving your bottom line. High-quality construction, insulation type, unit usage, and geographical factors can all affect both the operating costs and performance of your walk-in unit. As a central component to any restaurant or food service operation, walk-in coolers and freezers can make up a significant portion of energy consumption. Checking for the appropriate features can ensure you reduce your energy costs while experiencing years of worry free operation.
Unit Construction
An appropriately constructed walkin cooler or freezer will not only ensure optimal performance but will also extend the life of your actual refrigeration system. The materials, design, and construction techniques used to build the walk-in will influence the unit’s ability to function effectively both short and long-term. Insulation type and the efficiency of the refrigeration system are both key factors that significantly influence performance and operating costs.
EISA regulations require insulation to be placed in the floor, ceiling, and doors. The insulations thickness and resistance to outside heat transfer also plays a major role in the overall efficiency of your walk-in unit. This is measured by the R-value of the insulation. The higher the R-value, the better insulated your unit is. Currently, EISA regulations require at least R-25 for coolers and R-32 for freezers. Additionally, floor insulation for walk-in freezers should be at least R-28.
Rust, dents, and corrosion can all allow moisture to gain entry to the insulation, resulting in deterioration. Weather resistant walk-in coolers and freezers are designed specifically to prevent elements such as extreme heat and cold from deteriorating the insulation.
Geographical Factors
Several factors outside of the unit can also noticeably alter the costs and performance of your walk-in cooler or freezer. Geographical areas that experience hot or cold weather can increase usage in order to maintain internal unit temperatures. Additionally, the physical location of the walk-in is also important. If the unit is in an area that receives little or no shade, the unit will run more often to compensate for the increased temperature. This is especially true for conventional metal units. Due to metal construction, these types of units will absorb and store heat. Therefore, resistance to heat and moisture are critical factors to consider when choosing an outdoor walk-in.
Unit Usage
The amount of daily usage your walk-in unit receives is another factor that affects performance and cost. The temperature and the weight of the products entering the walk-in, often referred too as the “heat load”, will affect the time required to cool or freeze products or goods. Excessive door openings can also affect performance, causing temperature fluxuations. A properly sized refrigeration system will be based on a default number of door openings, so it’s extremely important to follow these guidelines and/or specify a larger system to compensate for excessive door openings. EISA regulations require automatic door closers and vinyl weather stripping on all walk-in freezers and coolers.
