Refrigeration systems account for about 10 percent of electricity use in the commercial sector.  About two-thirds of this is consumed by "packaged" refrigeration systems, which are factory-built units. Commercial refrigerators and freezers, ice makers, water coolers, and beverage vending machines generally incorporate both the refrigeration system and the refrigerated compartment in a single package. Small walk-in coolers and ice makers may be self-contained "packaged" systems, or may use a remote similar to residential central air conditioners. Several of these systems are found in many common building types. Hospitals, schools, and hotels, for example, often have ice makers, and reach-in refrigerators and freezers.  In addition, water coolers and vending machines on several floors are common in office buildings, and reach-in refrigerators and freezers, and ice makers are common where food is sold.

• Efforts to Promote Energy-Efficient Packaged Refrigeration Equipment
• Ice Makers
• Water Coolers
• Beverage Vending Machines
• Reach-In Refrigerator/Freezers

Most packaged equipment is very inefficient. The good news is that there are many significant opportunities to improve cost-effectively the efficiency of packaged systems -- in some cases, reducing energy use by as much as 50 percent relative to typical equipment on the market today.

Several programs have guidelines for the purchase of energy-efficient packaged refrigeration equipment and maintain and update  listings of the most efficient equipment currently available.

ENERGY STAR:  The U.S. DOE and EPA ENERGY STAR program labels products so purchasers can more easily identify those that are energy efficient.  ENERGY STAR labels energy-efficient water coolers and reach-in refrigerators and freezers and provides lists of qualifying equipment on its website. ENERGY STAR is also in the process of working with manufacturers on a specification for more efficient beverage vending machines. 

Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE):  CEE aggregates utilities' and other members' marketing efforts for highly efficient equipment by developing common specifications that members promote. CEE has two-tiered specifications for both ice makers and reach-in refrigerators and freezers. The first tier is set at or around the ENERGY STAR or FEMP levels; the second tier goes beyond these levels to provide a target for manufacturer design efforts.

Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP):  FEMP assists federal purchasers with making smarter purchasing decisions by developing energy efficiency recommendations of products in the top 15 to 25 percent. To the extent possible, FEMP coordinates its levels with those of ENERGY STAR.  FEMP has developed recommendations and buying tips for ice makers and commercial refrigerators and freezers.