Commercial Refrigeration Equipment

Department of Energy

The Department of Energy (DOE) regulates the energy efficiency of commercial refrigeration equipment (CRE) including self-contained and remote condensing commercial refrigerators, commercial freezers, commercial refrigerator-freezers and commercial ice-cream freezers, as well as self-contained commercial refrigerators with transparent doors designed for pull-down temperature applications. Commercial refrigeration equipment is used for food storage and merchandising purposes in the food retail industry (e.g., grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, specialty food stores) and the foodservice industry (e.g., restaurants and cafeterias).

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    Commercial refrigeration equipment manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by10 CFR 431.62, must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations10 CFR 431.66. This information is also available in theElectronic Code of Federal Regulations.

    Each commercial refrigerator, freezer, and refrigerator-freezer with a self-contained condensing unit designed for holding temperature applications manufactured on or after January 1, 2010 and before March 27, 2017 shall have a daily energy consumption (in kilowatt hours per day) that does not exceed the following:

    Table 1. Standards Effective January 10, 2010

    Category

    Maximum Daily Energy Consumption
    (kilowatt hours per day)

    Refrigerators with solid doors

    0.10 V + 2.04

    Refrigerators with transparent doors

    0.12 V + 3.34

    Freezers with solid doors

    0.40 V + 1.38

    Freezers with transparent doors

    0.75 V + 4.10

    Refrigerators/freezers with solid doors

    the greater of 0.27 AV - 0.71 or 0.70

    Each service over the counter, self-contained, medium temperature commercial refrigerator (SOC-SC-M) manufactured on or after January 1, 2012, shall have a total daily energy consumption (in kilowatt hours per day) of not more than 0.6 × TDA + 1.0. As used in the preceding sentence, “TDA” means the total display area (ft2) of the case, as defined in the AHRI Standard 1200 (I-P)-2010, appendix D (incorporated by reference, see §431.63).

    Each commercial refrigerator with a self-contained condensing unit designed for pull-down temperature applications and transparent doors manufactured on or after January 1, 2010, shall have a daily energy consumption (in kilowatt hours per day) of not more than 0.126V + 3.51.

    Each commercial refrigerator, freezer, and refrigerator-freezer with a self-contained condensing unit and without doors; commercial refrigerator, freezer, and refrigerator-freezer with a remote condensing unit; and commercial ice-cream freezer manufactured on or after January 1, 2012, shall have a daily energy consumption (in kilowatt hours per day) that does not exceed the levels specified:

    For equipment other than hybrid equipment, refrigerator-freezers or wedge cases:

    Table 2. Standards Effective January 1, 2012

    Equipment Type

    Condensing Unit Configuration

    Equipment Family

    Rating Temp. (°F)

    Operating Temp. (°F)

    Equipment Class Designation*

    Maximum Daily Energy Consumption (kWh/day)

    Remote Condensing Commercial Refrigerators and Commercial Freezers

    Remote (RC)

    Vertical Open (VOP)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    VOP.RC.M

    0.82 x TDA + 4.07

    0 (L)

    < 32

    VOP.RC.L

    2.27 x TDA + 6.85

    Semivertical Open

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    SVO.RC.M

    0.83 x TDA + 3.18

    0 (L)

    < 32

    SVO.RC.L

    2.27 x TDA + 6.85

    Horizontal Open (HZO)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    HZO.RC.M

    0.35 x TDA + 2.88

    0 (L)

    < 32

    HZO.RC.L

    0.57 x TDA + 6.88

    Vertical Closed Transparent (VCT)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    VCT.RC.M

    0.22 x TDA + 1.95

    0 (L)

    < 32

    VTC.RC.L

    0.56 x TDA + 2.61

    Horizontal Closed Transparent (HCT)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    HCT.RC.M

    0.16 x TDA + 0.13

    0 (L)

    < 32

    HCT.RC.L

    0.34 x TDA + 0.26

    Vertical Closed Solid (VCS)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    VCS.RC.M

    0.11 x V + 0.26

    0 (L)

    < 32

    VCS.RC.L

    0.23 x V + 0.54

    Horizontal Closed Solid (HCS)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    HCS.RC.M

    0.11 x V + 0.26

    0 (L)

    < 32

    HCS.RC.L

    0.23 x V + 0.54

    Service Over Counter (SOC)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    SOC.RC.M

    0.51 x TDA + 0.11

    0 (L)

    < 32

    SOC.RC.L

    1.08 x TDA + 0.22

    Self-Contained Commercial Refrigerators and Commercial Freezers without Doors

    Self-Contained

    Vertical Open (VOP)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    VOP.SC.M

    1.74 x TDA + 4.71

    0 (L)

    < 32

    VOP.SC.L

    4.37 x TDA + 11.82

    Semivertical Open (SVO)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    SVO.SC.M

    1.73 x TDA + 4.59

    0 (L)

    < 32

    SVO.SC.L

    4.34 x TDA + 11.51

    Horizontal Open (HZO)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    HZO.SC.M

    0.77 x TDA + 5.55

    0 (L)

    < 32

    HZO.SC.M

    1.92 x TDA + 7.08

    Commercial Ice-Cream Freezers

    Remote (RC)

    Vertical Open (VOP)

    -15 (I)

    ≤ -5**

    VOP.RC.I

    2.89 x TDA + 8.7

    Semivertical Open (SVO)

    SVO.RC.I

    2.89 x TDA + 8.7

    Horizontal Open (HZO)

    HZO.RC.I

    0.72 x TDA + 8.74

    Vertical Closed Transparent (VCT)

    VCT.RC.I

    0.66 x TDA + 3.05

    Horizontal Closed Transparent (HCT)

    HCT.RC.I

    0.4 x TDA + 0.31

    Vertical Closed Solid (VCS)

    VCS.RC.I

    0.27 x V + 0.63

    Horizontal Closed Solid (HCS)

    HCS.RC.I

    0.27 x V + 0.63

    Service Over Counter (SOC)

    SOC.RC.I

    1.26 x TDA + 0.26

    Self-Contained (SC)

    Vertical Open (VOP)

    VOP.SC.I

    5.55 x TDA + 15.02

    Semivertical Open (SVO)

    SVO.SC.I

    5.52 x TDA + 14.63

    Horizontal Open (HZO)

    HZO.SC.I

    2.44 x TDA + 9

    Vertical Closed Transparent (VCT)

    VCT.SC.I

    0.67 x TDA + 3.29

    Horizontal Closed Transparent (HCT)

    HCT.SC.I

    0.56 x TDA + 0.43

    Vertical Closed Solid (VCS)

    VCS.SC.I

    0.38 x V + 0.88

    Horizontal Closed Solid (HCS)

    HCS.SC.I

    0.38 x V + 0.88

    Service Over Counter (SOC)

    SOC.SC.I

    1.76 x TDA + 0.36

    * The meaning of the letters in this column is indicated in the three columns to the left.

    ** Ice-cream freezer is defined in 10 CFR 431.62 as a commercial freezer that is designed to operate at or below -5 °F (-21°C) and that the manufacturer designs, markets, or intends for the storing, displaying, or dispensing of ice cream.

    Each commercial refrigerator, freezer, and refrigerator-freezer with a self-contained condensing unit designed for holding temperature applications and with solid or transparent doors; commercial refrigerator with a self-contained condensing unit designed for pull-down temperature applications and with transparent doors; commercial refrigerator, freezer, and refrigerator-freezer with a self-contained condensing unit and without doors; commercial refrigerator, freezer, and refrigerator-freezer with a remote condensing unit; and commercial ice-cream freezer manufactured on or after March 27, 2017, shall have a daily energy consumption (in kilowatt-hours per day) that does not exceed the levels specified:

    For equipment other than hybrid equipment, refrigerator-freezers or wedge cases:

    Table 3. Standards Effective March 27, 2017

    Equipment Type

    Condensing Unit Configuration

    Equipment Family

    Rating Temp. (°F)

    Operating Temp. (°F)

    Equipment Class Designation*

    Maximum Daily Energy Consumption (kWh/day)

    Remote Condensing Commercial Refrigerators and Commercial Freezers

    Remote (RC)

    Vertical Open (VOP)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    VOP.RC.M

    0.64 x TDA + 4.07

    0 (L)

    < 32

    VOP.RC.L

    2.2 x TDA + 6.85

    Semivertical Open

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    SVO.RC.M

    0.66 x TDA + 3.18

    0 (L)

    < 32

    SVO.RC.L

    2.2 x TDA + 6.85

    Horizontal Open (HZO)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    HZO.RC.M

    0.35 x TDA + 2.88

    0 (L)

    < 32

    HZO.RC.L

    0.55 x TDA + 6.88

    Vertical Closed Transparent (VCT)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    VCT.RC.M

    0.15 x TDA + 1.95

    0 (L)

    < 32

    VTC.RC.L

    0.49 x TDA + 2.61

    Horizontal Closed Transparent (HCT)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    HCT.RC.M

    0.16 x TDA + 0.13

    0 (L)

    < 32

    HCT.RC.L

    0.34 x TDA + 0.26

    Vertical Closed Solid (VCS)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    VCS.RC.M

    0.1 x V + 0.26

    0 (L)

    < 32

    VCS.RC.L

    0.21 x V + 0.54

    Horizontal Closed Solid (HCS)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    HCS.RC.M

    0.1 x V + 0.26

    0 (L)

    < 32

    HCS.RC.L

    0.21 x V + 0.54

    Service Over Counter (SOC)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    SOC.RC.M

    0.44 x TDA + 0.11

    0 (L)

    < 32

    SOC.RC.L

    0.93 x TDA + 0.22

    Self-Contained Commercial Refrigerators and Commercial Freezers without Doors

    Self-Contained

    Vertical Open (VOP)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    VOP.SC.M

    1.69 x TDA + 4.71

    0 (L)

    < 32

    VOP.SC.L

    4.25 x TDA + 11.82

    Semivertical Open (SVO)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    SVO.SC.M

    1.7 x TDA + 4.59

    0 (L)

    < 32

    SVO.SC.L

    4.26 x TDA + 11.51

    Horizontal Open (HZO)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    HZO.SC.M

    0.72 x TDA + 5.55

    0 (L)

    < 32

    HZO.SC.M

    1.9 x TDA + 7.08

    Self-Contained Commercial Refrigerators and Commercial Freezers with Doors

    Self-Contained (SC)

    Vertical Closed Transparent (VCT)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    VCT.SC.M

    0.1 x V + 0.86

    0 (L)

    < 32

    VCT.SC.L

    0.29 x V + 2.95

    Vertical Closed Solid (VCS)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    VCS.SC.M

    0.05 x V + 1.36

    < 32

    VCS.SC.L

    0.22 x V + 1.38

    Horizontal Closed Transparent (HCT)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    HCT.SC.M

    0.06 x V + 0.37

    0 (L)

    < 32

    HCT.SC.L

    0.08 x V + 1.23

    Horizontal Closed Solid (HCS)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    HCS.SC.M

    0.05 x V + 0.91

    < 32

    HCS.SC.L

    0.06 x V + 1.12

    Service Over Counter (SOC)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    SOC.SC.M

    0.52 x TDA + 1

    0 (L)

    < 32

    SOC.SC.L

    1.1 x TDA + 2.1

    Self-Contained Commercial Refrigerators with Transparent Doors for Pull-Down Temperature Applications

    Self-Contained (SC)

    Pull-Down (PD)

    38 (M)

    ≥ 32

    PD.SC.M

    0.11 V + 0.81

    Commercial Ice-Cream Freezers

    Remote (RC)

    Vertical Open (VOP)

    -15 (I)

    ≤ -5**

    VOP.RC.I

    2.79 x TDA + 8.7

    Semivertical Open (SVO)

    SVO.RC.I

    2.79 x TDA + 8.7

    Horizontal Open (HZO)

    HZO.RC.I

    0.7 x TDA + 8.74

    Vertical Closed Transparent (VCT)

    VCT.RC.I

    0.58 x TDA + 3.05

    Horizontal Closed Transparent (HCT)

    HCT.RC.I

    0.4 x TDA + 0.31

    Vertical Closed Solid (VCS)

    VCS.RC.I

    0.25 x V + 0.63

    Horizontal Closed Solid (HCS)

    HCS.RC.I

    0.25 x V + 0.63

    Service Over Counter (SOC)

    SOC.RC.I

    1.09 x TDA + 0.26

    Self-Contained (SC)

    Vertical Open (VOP)

    VOP.SC.I

    5.4 x TDA + 15.02

    Semivertical Open (SVO)

    SVO.SC.I

    5.41 x TDA + 14.63

    Horizontal Open (HZO)

    HZO.SC.I

    2.42 x TDA + 9

    Vertical Closed Transparent (VCT)

    VCT.SC.I

    0.62 x TDA + 3.29

    Horizontal Closed Transparent (HCT)

    HCT.SC.I

    0.56 x TDA + 0.43

    Vertical Closed Solid (VCS)

    VCS.SC.I

    0.34 x V + 0.88

    Horizontal Closed Solid (HCS)

    HCS.SC.I

    0.34 x V + 0.88

    Service Over Counter (SOC)

    SOC.SC.I

    1.53 x TDA + 0.36

    * The meaning of the letters in this column is indicated in the columns to the left.
    ** Ice-cream freezer is defined in 10 CFR 431.62 as a commercial freezer that is designed to operate at or below -5 °F *(-21 °C) and that the manufacturer designs, markets, or intends for the storing, displaying, or dispensing of ice cream.

    Links:

    After a regulatory action has been completed, Executive Order 12866 requires agencies to identify the substantive changes between the draft submitted to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review and the action subsequently announced, and to identify those changes made at the suggestion or recommendation of OIRA.

    To determine compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedures specified at 10 CFR 431.64(g) for commercial refrigeration equipment manufactured or distributed into commerce. These are also in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.

    Effective October 20, 2014, representations with respect to the energy use or efficiency of commercial refrigeration equipment must be made in accordance with tests conducted pursuant to Appendix A to Subpart C of Part 431.

    DOE issued a pre-publication Federal Register final rule on April 10, 2014. This final rule clarified certain terms, procedures, and compliance dates to improve the repeatability and remove ambiguity from the current CRE test procedure. In this final rule, DOE also addressed a number of test procedure clarifications that arose as a result of the negotiated rulemaking process for certification of commercial heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and water heating equipment.

    Some provisions included in the April 2014 final rule become effective May 21, 2014, clarifying points of the existing test procedure specified at 10 CFR 431.64. These provisions are included in Appendix A to Subpart C of Part 431.

    Amended Test Procedures
    DOE published amended test procedures for commercial refrigeration equipment on February 21, 2012.

    The April 2014 final rule reorganized the provisions of the February 2012 final rule into Appendix B to Subpart C of Part 431. The test procedure provisions included in this appendix must be used by manufacturers in conjunction with the amended standards established in DOE’s recently published energy conservation standards final rule (March 2014 energy conservation standards final rule) beginning on March 28, 2017. 79 FR 17726, 17727 (March. 28, 2014).

    For further guidance or to submit questions related to the implementation of this test procedure, visit the Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions page.

    EPA Energy Star

    Current Product Specifications:

    Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers Version 4.0

    In Development:

    There are no new versions currently in development.

    Applying for Energy Star:

    To qualify a new product, contact an EPA-recognized Certification Body (CB) to have the product's performance certified. A list of EPA-recognized CBs, as well as an overview of EPA's third-party certification procedures, is available at Third-Party Certification. AHRI is a recognized CB. Email AHRICert_EnergyStar@ahrinet.org for more information.

    More Information:

    Energy Star Commercial Refrigerator & Freezers Website