New Energy Standards Fuel Technology Development

In this MRM News clip, James V. Piliero, Sales Development Manager, Food Retail & International, ITW Food Equipment Group, discusses the host of new regulations for commercial kitchen refrigeration that will drive significant efficiency benefits for kitchen operations.

“The phasing in of new air quality standards, combined with limits on energy consumption, are all poised to create the most efficient refrigeration cabinets that commercial kitchens have yet seen,” he said. “And as has always been the case, Traulsen is well-positioned to offer kitchens new models that meet or exceed all these new standards from day one.” 

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) regulations now in effect  set a mandatory limit on the maximum daily energy consumption (MDEC) allowed for a given commercial refrigerator or freezer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® program  increasing the efficiency standards required to earn its voluntary certification also took effect earlier this year. Additionally, the EPA is also moving forward with its Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program, which calls for the phase out of R-134a and R-404A refrigerants in most commercial refrigeration products by 2020.

“Combined, these new standards are pushing commercial foodservice refrigeration equipment manufacturers to not only design and build more efficient products, but also to develop new technology,” Piliero said. “They  are helping to drive new technology development. For example, select 2017 models will feature an innovative new glass door that is 20 percent more efficient. Additionally, all our microprocessor-controlled units are now equipped with a proprietary smart sensor that allows each unit to adapt to its own unique operating environment. This one development alone allows for peak performance for each of our units while using the least amount of energy.”