DOE Updates Efficiency Standards for Walk-in Coolers and Freezers

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a final rule amending energy conservation standards for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers (WICFs). These updates examine various components of WICFs, including panels, doors, and refrigeration systems. DOE is not updating the standards for display doors or panels for WICFs but is updating the standards for non-display doors and refrigeration systems. Compliance with these changes is based on the components' manufacture date; for non-display doors, compliance begins three years after publication in the federal register; for refrigeration systems, compliance begins on December 31, 2028.

Key Updates:

• Doors:

  Amended standards set maximum allowable energy consumption levels for different door types, including passage and freight doors, to improve overall efficiency.

  • Non-Display Doors (Passage and Freight Doors):

    • Passage and freight doors must meet specific Maximum Daily Energy Consumption based on the size and features the doors are manufactured with. See final rule for exact calculation.

  • Display Doors:

    • No change in the energy efficiency standard.

• Refrigeration Systems:

  The rule introduces higher minimum Annual Walk-In Energy Factor 2 (AWEF2) requirements for refrigeration systems based on capacity and temperature, promoting more efficient technologies. See the final rule for exact AWEF2 calculations.

  • According to DOE, “manufacturers would likely need to incorporate the following design options: all dedicated condensing system equipment classes would generally incorporate EC condenser fan motors; all outdoor dedicated condensing system equipment would generally incorporate self-regulating crankcase heater controls with a temperature switch; additionally, low-temperature outdoor dedicated condensing system equipment classes would generally incorporate variable-speed condenser fan motors and all but the highest capacity units would generally incorporate ambient subcooling circuits; some medium-temperature outdoor dedicated condensing unit equipment classes would incorporate improved single-speed compressors; low-temperature and indoor medium-temperature dedicated condensing unit equipment classes would generally incorporate larger condenser coils; low- and medium-temperature single-packaged dedicated system equipment classes would generally incorporate larger evaporator coils and variable speed evaporator fans; lower capacity low- and medium-temperature single-packaged dedicated condensing units would generally incorporate propane compressors; higher capacity indoor low temperature single-packaged dedicated system equipment classes would generally incorporate thermal insulation up to 4 inches in thickness; outdoor medium-temperature single-packaged dedicated system equipment classes would generally incorporate variable speed condenser fans; lower capacity outdoor medium-temperature single packaged dedicated system equipment classes would generally incorporate thermal insulation up to 4 inches in thickness and ambient subcooling circuits; high-temperature indoor, and outdoor ducted, dedicated condensing system equipment classes would generally incorporate max-tech design options; finally high-temperature outdoor nonducted dedicated condensing system equipment classes would generally incorporate thermal insulation up to 1.5 inches in thickness and variable speed condenser fans.”