DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) REGULATIONS FOR WALK- IN COOLERS & FREEZERS
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Background: The DOE has put in place energy efficiency requirements for walk-in coolers and freezers – enforcement begins in 2020
WHAT IS AWEF?
AWEF is a ratio: total heat (Btu) from a walk-in box to total energy input (watt hours) during the same one-year period
WHAT ARE THE REGULATIONS?
- Products must meet certain energy requirements to be compliant
- Labels must be compliant and contain specific statements depending on if the unit is designed for indoor or outdoor use
- You can only select units that are approved for indoor OR outdoor use!
- Marketing materials must include AWEF rating
WHICH PRODUCTS MUST COMPLY?
Walk in coolers and freezers less than 3,000ft² must comply.
ARE THERE EXCLUSIONS?
- Scientific, medical and research equipment is excluded
- Condensing units for multiple WICF or other pieces of refrigeration equipment
- Water cooled condensing units or systems!
- Racks serving multiple loads
- Reach-in units
- Blast chillers and freezers are NOT excluded from labeling!
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?
Manufacturers who build, certify and mark equipment Individuals selecting equipment for covered installations, such as contractors and OEMs
WHEN WILL THIS HAPPEN?
Medium temperature condensing units enforcement begins Jan 1, 2020
Low temperature condensing units and all unit coolers enforcement begins July 10, 2020
*Refer to DOE Subpart R for the complete listing of the minimum required AWEF values
HOW WILL THE RULING IMPACT YOU?
- OEMs – need to complete the engineering design cycle, testing and certification in 2019 to sell new compliant equipment in 2020.
- CONTRACTORS – must understand that if they replace a condensing unit with one manufactured after the DOE enforcement dates, it must be an AWEF-compliant unit. However, older units and inventory may still be used.
– No longer can use a “doghouse” on an indoor condensing unit!. - WHOLESALERS – must be prepared for changing inventories and begin to carry only AWEF-compliant condensing units if they’re manufactured after the 2020 enforcement dates for WICF applications.
- DESIGN CONSULTANTS – must be well-versed in the regulatory impacts to advise end users in the selection of energy-compliant, sustainable systems.
- END USERS – need to select future-proof equipment that aligns with their long-term refrigeration strategies.
Kit Fransen, Tecumseh Director of Product Management and Applications Engineering, discusses the upcoming DOE AWEF regulations and how they will impact the industry.
