Ways To Ensure Your New Cooler Or Freezer Is Energy Efficient

When the new Department of Energy (DOE) standards came into effect in March of this year, many refrigeration manufacturers and importers waited anxiously to see what impact they might have to the industry at large.

As a DOE compliant manufacturer, Minus Forty has made a substantial investment in R&D, redesigning most of our product line to meet the new standards that called for reductions in energy consumption by as much as 50%. Those models that wouldn’t reach the new efficiency levels were discontinued, a measure taken by several of our competitors as well.

As an organization with a clear focus on corporate social responsibility, we applauded the DOE’s mandate despite its impact (at least for the short term) on product selection. Reducing energy consumption is not only good for the environment but also reduces operating costs for our customers, a clear win-win scenario.

But what about those manufacturers and importers who choose to fly under the radar, continuing to sell non-compliant products? If history is any indication, the fines of up to $440 per violation (each freezer or cooler represents a single instance) won’t be enough to deter the determined “Scofflaws”.

There are a few things you can do as a consumer to ensure you are purchasing compliant, energy efficient products;

1. Check the date of manufacture, usually found on the manufacturers label inside the freezer/cooler. If the date is before March 27, 2017, you may be purchasing an energy guzzler. (There are exceptions however. Minus Forty for example, began manufacturing DOE compliant units as early as May, 2016)
2. Check the CCMS database of compliant models on the DOE website. If the model in question is not listed, it is likely not compliant.
3. Compare energy efficiency figures for competitive models. If there is a substantial variance, you may not be purchasing the most energy efficient models available. These variances could cost you literally thousands in additional energy costs over the lifetime of the equipment.
4. If you believe you have purchased a non-compliant model that was manufactured or imported after the deadline of March 27, 2017, you can file a complaint with the DOE at energyefficiencyenforcement@hq.doe.gov

For more information regarding this mandate and its enforcement, give us a call. We are always happy to assist!