Commercial refrigeration equipment
Improving the efficiency of commercial and industrial refrigeration could have significant benefits for New Zealand. "In from the Cold" is a government Strategy that looks at how this could be achieved.
What is commercial and industrial refrigeration?
Commercial / industrial refrigeration (i.e. non-domestic) includes items like supermarket fridges and freezers, cool-rooms, blast freezers, cold storage, cold drink machines, ice makers and refrigerated transport. This equipment is used to keep food or drink at the desired temperature.
"In from the Cold" - a refrigeration strategy
In 2008, non-domestic refrigeration equipment and systems in New Zealand consumed 7% of the total energy used by the whole country. Energy use is predicted to grow with an increased demand for ready-to-eat food.
By making non-domestic equipment and systems more energy efficient, we can help to ensure that our energy supply can keep up with demand, and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to meet our international commitments.
"In from the Cold" is a strategy about how to achieve this for industrial and commercial refrigeration equipment used in the food sector. The strategy was prepared for the E3 Equipment Energy Efficiency program which runs in both New Zealand and Australia.
- A link to the strategy will be provided here once it is released.
The strategy outlines reasons why the sector is not as energy efficient as it could be (barriers) - and poses a variety of initiatives to improve the situation in the next 10 years.
These initiatives are a mix of voluntary and regulatory tools, and the ideas have been refined with industry input since a draft was first released in late 2009. Initiatives include MEPS, best practice guides, industry training and online energy-use tools and targets.
Where to from here?
EECA invites industry experts to participate on the two government-led working groups: the Joint Australia, New Zealand Standards Committee ME-008 and the Best Practice Working Group. These will be convened in the last quarter of 2011.
To stay informed of this opportunity, or receive updates by email, please call the products team at EECA on 0800 358 676 or email regs@eeca.govt.nz.
Refrigerated display cabinets
Refrigerated display cabinets already must meet minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), and the strategy proposes that these levels will be revised.
These cabinets may not be sold in New Zealand unless they are tested and comply with the energy performance levels under the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002.
Find out more about MEPS for refrigerated display cabinets.
