Commercial Refrigeration Accessories Explained
For businesses with commercial kitchens, walk-in coolers and freezers, and similar refrigeration systems, refrigeration accessories are extremely important. They are what keep food, drinks, and other perishable items cool, along with cooling other equipment. You may not think about it, but these accessories help keep your business running. There are also plenty of ways to use these accessories to make your system more energy efficient. That’s why it’s important to understand what these accessories are and what they do for your refrigerators and freezers.
Strip Curtains
Strip curtains are PVC strips that regulate the temperatures of refrigerated areas in walk-in coolers and freezers. They can come in 4-, 6-, and 8-inch widths, and they prevent dust and contaminants from getting into refrigerated areas in freezers and coolers. Strip curtains also prevent warm, unrefrigerated air from entering walk-in freezers and coolers, so they help extend the shelf life of the products inside. Since they work as infiltration barriers, strip curtains reduce the compressor’s run time. That increases the cooler’s or freezer’s energy efficiency.
Not only are strip curtains energy efficient, they’re also federally mandated. The U.S. Department of Energy’s most recent refrigeration standards require that all walk-in coolers and freezers manufactured after Jan. 1, 2009, have strip curtains. So if you have an older freezer or cooler, you’ll want to update it so it’s compliant.
Night Covers
Night covers are deployed during your facility’s off-hours to reduce display cases’ energy consumption. Additionally, they have perforated components that decrease moisture buildup in the refrigerated displays. When they’re deployed, night covers reduce heating, utility, and operating costs, and they reduce maintenance as well. Night covers are easily installed and easily used, but they cannot be used during your business’s open hours because they would prevent customers from accessing the contents. However, they will keep your displays running smoothly by reducing their runtime when your facilities are unoccupied.
Door Closers
Door closers are applied to the main insulated areas of walk-in coolers and freezers. They are mounted at the tops of doors, and they work well with self-closing hinges to reduce door-opening time and deflect warm outside air. Door closers are required refrigerator parts in commercial facilities, but they also work well in other, non-commercial facilities.
Maximize Your Energy Conservation With OES
If you want your commercial refrigeration system to operate with maximum energy efficiency and to comply with federal standards, you need a team of experts who can provide the proper equipment and installation. OES is a partner you can trust to deliver high-quality accessories and top-notch installation services for your refrigeration cases and systems. We know which products and techniques will help you save energy while also saving money. If you have any questions about our services or would like a consultation, contact OES today.
