Energy costs are a significant expense for facilities that operate industrial refrigeration systems. In new construction projects, significant energy savings can be achieved by incorporating energy efficiency technologies in the project design. For facilities being expanded or upgraded, ensuring the efficiency of the refrigeration systems can lead to significant energy savings without compromising productivity.

Efficient industrial refrigeration systems are developed through proper design, the use of premium efficiency equipment, and the installation of appropriate system controls, as well as regular maintenance. This design brief is intended to provide building owners, facility managers, architects, and consulting engineers with the latest information on energy efficiency technologies in refrigeration systems required in the agriculture, food processing, manufacturing and fabrication, medical, high-tech, and biotechnology industries. It highlights design considerations and provides an overview of common energy efficiency measures, specifically:

• Optimized compressor sequencing
• Moderately oversized condensers
• Floating head pressure control
• Increased suction pressure
• Variable frequency drives
• Premium efficiency motors
• Liquid overfeed evaporators
• Demand-based defrosting
• Purgers
• Insulation
• High-efficiency lighting fixtures and controls
• Rapid-closing doors