Keeping the Heat Out: Refrigeration & Ice Machine 101

All restaurants have refrigeration equipment. Reach in and walk in refrigeration operates 24/7/365 and can attribute to the majority of restaurant and grocery store energy usage. Similar equipment may hold the same internal temperature, however its energy usage may vary significantly. Determining whether your refrigeration maintains correct internal temperature is crucial for food safety; and understanding how much energy it is using is crucial for your wallet. Replacement refrigeration systems may be costly, however it is important to determine when your old equipment is about to fail and how to replace with the most energy and cost effective unit it before that occurs. Understanding ice machine energy and water usage while maximizing production and minimizing costs is important to any restaurant operator. Operators can also save energy and prolong the life of their units through simple maintenance.