Refrigeration - Commercial
For Suppliers
Commercial refrigeration applications include refrigerated cabinets, walk-in coolrooms, industrial cold storage, beverage cooling, vending machines and ice makers.
Overview
Commercial or non-domestic refrigeration applications span a wide range of processes and applications in the food chain and consume approximately the same quantity of electricity as the combined total of all residential lighting and refrigeration in Australia and New Zealand. Commercial refrigeration is estimated to account for 4% of emissions from Australia’s energy sector and 6% of emissions in New Zealand.
Examples of technologies include refrigerated cabinets, walk-in coolrooms, industrial cold storage, beverage cooling, vending machines and ice makers. End users that would benefit from improved energy efficiency measures include supermarkets, food processer’s, dairy industry fishing fleets, schools, cafes and restaurants and refrigerated transport.
Refrigerated display cabinets (RDCs) and refrigerated storage cabinets (RSCs) are used in supermarkets, petrol stations and smaller food and beverage vendors such as ‘corner stores’ and delicatessens to chill food and drink for sale. These technologies are a significant component of the supermarket and process & cold storage sectors. Some types of RDCs have been regulated for their energy use since 2004 with Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS).
The MEPS on commercial refrigeration has been reviewed. Following a COAG decision in November 2017, the requirements for RDC’s are being revised and the scope of this MEPS expanded to incorporate RSC’s.
Figure 1: Distribution of electricity consumption in non-domestic refrigeration, Australia, 2008 (Source: In From the Cold 2010-2020, E3 Committee, 2011)
Current Commercial Refrigeration Work
The requirements for RSC and RDC’s are being revised.
On 24 November 2017, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Ministers agreed to the decision Regulation Impact Summary for commercial refrigerated display and storage cabinets and accepted the following recommendations:
- Adopt the international (ISO) test method for refrigerated display cabinets and European test methods for other refrigerated display cabinet types and storage cabinets.
- Increase Australasian minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) levels to align with European Commission MEPS levels.
The E3 programme is working with stakeholders to finalise the technical criteria and develop the replacement Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Refrigerated Display Cabinets) Determination 2012.
For New Zealand, the New Zealand Cabinet has also endorsed this proposal and Regulations will be developed under the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002.
A supplementary implementation discussion paper was published in May 2018
The introduction of new MEPS levels and test methods is expected no earlier than 1 December 2019.
Types of Refrigerated Cabinet Technologies
Refrigerated Display Cabinets (RDCs)
Refrigerated Display Cabinets (RDCs) are intended to store and display for sale chilled and/or frozen foodstuffs and beverages. These cabinets allow the stored products to be either directly viewed through an opening in the cabinet or through transparent doors, lids or covers. The doors are normally kept closed but enable users to access any of the contents without stepping inside the refrigerated space. They are typically used in retail applications such as supermarkets, petrol stations, liquor outlets and smaller food and beverage vendors such as ‘corner stores’, ‘dairies’ and delicatessens.
Refrigerated Storage Cabinets (RSCs)
Refrigerated Storage Cabinets (RSCs) are specifically designed to store, but not to display for sale, chilled and/or frozen foodstuffs. They predominantly have solid faced doors, lids or drawers that are generally kept closed, but allow access to the contents without having to step inside the refrigerated space. RSCs are typically used in catering applications and non-retail areas of supermarkets, butcheries, restaurants, hotels, cafes, professional kitchens and institutional facilities where they are used mainly for storage.
At a glance...
|
|
MEPS |
Energy Rating Label |
Australia |
New Zealand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Yes |
No |
|||
| Refrigerated Storage Cabinets (RSCs) |
No |
No |
Under consideration | Under consideration |
Key documents
Search the Registraton Database
Use the registration database to view and compare all products that are registered under the GEMS Act.
Regulatory Requirements for Refrigerated Display Cabinets
When manufacturing or importing Refrigerated Display Cabinets (RDCs) in or into Australia, most equipment must comply with the requirements set out in the GEMS legislation. This includes the Minimum Energy Performance (MEPS) requirements set out in the GEMS determination.
Current regulation
On 1 October 2012, the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) legislation came into effect, creating a national framework for appliance and equipment energy efficiency in Australia. RDCs are one of the products that must be registered through an online database and meet a number of legal requirements before they can be sold in Australia or New Zealand. To find out the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), check the relevant Australian GEMS determination or the New Zealand regulations.
Which MEPS do I need to comply with?
The MEPS for commercial refrigeration are set out as total energy consumption per total display area (TEC/TDA) in kWh/day/square meter for various unit types. The methods for measurement of total energy consumption are set out in the GEMS determination.
There is also a provision for “High Efficiency” refrigerated display cabinets which must meet more stringent MEPS levels to classify as ‘high efficiency’.
MEPS Levels
MEPS for regulated refrigerated display cabinets are set in the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Refrigerated Display Cabinets) Determination 2012 (Determination). The Determination calls up the levels specified in AS 1731.14-2003, and also sets the test methods by reference to AS 1731.14-2003 (which itself refers to other parts of AS 1731).
When measured in accordance with AS 1731.9 and AS 1731.12 the energy consumption of a remote or self-contained refrigerated cabinet shall not exceed that specified below (as applicable). For the purpose of testing compliance, tests are conducted under climate Class 3 conditions, with lighting and anti-sweat heaters running for the duration of test period, unless controlled by a time-clock, smart sensor or similar automatic device. Where night-covers are supplied as a permanent fixture of the cabinet, the test is conducted as described in AS 1731.9, Section 4. Reference should be made to the relevant parts of AS 1731 for detailed conditions and test methods.
MEPS: MAXIMUM ENERGY CONSUMPTION – REMOTE CABINETS
|
Type |
Maximum energy consumption TEC/TDA (kWh/day/m2) |
|---|---|
|
RS 1 – Unlit Shelves |
12.55 |
|
RS 1 – Lit Shelves |
17.76 |
|
RS 2 – Unlit Shelves |
12.73 |
|
RS 2 – Lit Shelves |
16.98 |
|
RS 3 – Unlit Shelves |
14.84 |
|
RS 3 – Lit Shelves |
18.39 |
|
RS 4 – Solid Door |
no value |
|
RS 4 – Glass Door |
9.73 |
|
RS 5 – Solid Door |
no value |
|
RS 5 – Glass Door |
no value |
|
RS 6 – Gravity Coil |
14.21 |
|
RS 6 – Fan Coil |
14.16 |
|
RS 7 – Gravity Coil |
no value |
|
RS 7 – Fan Coil |
14.79 |
|
RS 8 – Gravity Coil |
12.25 |
|
RS 8 – Fan Coil |
13.19 |
|
RS 9 – Gravity Coil |
no value |
|
RS 9 – Fan Coil |
12.09 |
|
RS 10 – High |
no value |
|
RS 10 – Medium |
no value |
|
RS 10 – Low |
18.67 |
|
RS 11 |
38.13 |
|
RS 12 |
66.33 |
|
RS 13 – Solid Sided |
19.48 |
|
RS 13 – Glass Sided |
19.58 |
|
RS 14 – Solid Sided |
15.49 |
|
RS 14 – Glass Sided |
19.29 |
|
RS 15 – Solid Door |
no value |
|
RS 15 – Glass Door |
37.08 |
|
RS 16 – Solid Door |
no value |
|
RS 16 – Glass Door |
40.56 |
|
RS 17 – Solid Door |
no value |
|
RS 17 – Glass Door |
no value |
|
RS 18 |
48.58 |
|
RS 19 |
36.15 |
|
RS 20 |
no value |
MEPS: MAXIMUM ENERGY CONSUMPTION – SELF-CONTAINED CABINETS
|
MAXIMUM ENERGY CONSUMPTION TEC/TDA (kWh/day/m2) |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Type |
M-package temperature classes (see AS1731.6 Clause 5) |
Type |
M-package temperature classes(See AS1731.6 Clause 5) |
||
|
M1 |
M2 |
L1 |
L2 |
||
|
HC1 |
11.50 |
11.50 |
HF1 |
no value |
no value |
|
HC2 |
no value |
no value |
HF2 |
no value |
no value |
|
HC3 |
no value |
no value |
HF3 |
no value |
no value |
|
HC4 |
15.50 |
15.50 |
HF4 |
26.50 |
26.50 |
|
HC5 |
no value |
no value |
HF5 |
no value |
no value |
|
HC6 |
no value |
no value |
HF6 |
8.00 |
8.00 |
|
VC1 |
37.50 |
28.00 |
VF1 |
no value |
no value |
|
VC2 |
27.00 |
25.50 |
VF2 |
no value |
no value |
|
VC3 |
no value |
no value |
VF3 |
no value |
no value |
|
VC4 (a) Solid Door (b) Glass Door |
17.00 17.00 |
17.50 17.50 |
VF4 (a) Solid Door (b) Glass Door |
44.00 44.00 |
39.00 39.00 |
|
YC1 |
no value |
no value |
YF1 |
no value |
no value |
|
YC2 |
no value |
no value |
YF2 |
no value |
no value |
|
YC3 |
no value |
no value |
YF3 |
no value |
no value |
|
YC4 |
no value |
no value |
YF4 |
no value |
no value |
High Efficiency Levels
High Efficiency levels for regulated refrigerated display cabinets are set in the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Refrigerated Display Cabinets) Determination 2012 (Determination). The Determination calls up the levels specified in AS 1731.14-2003, and also sets the test methods by reference to AS 1731.14-2003 (which itself refers to other parts of AS 1731).
A remote or self-contained refrigerated display cabinet may be designated ‘high efficiency only if its energy consumption, measured in accordance with AS 1731.9 and AS 1731.12 does not exceed that value specified below. For the purpose of testing compliance, tests are conducted under climate Class 3 conditions, with lighting and anti-sweat heaters running for the duration of test period, unless controlled by a time-clock, smart sensor or similar automatic device. Where night-covers are supplied as a permanent fixture of the cabinet, the test is conducted as described in AS 1731.9, Section 4. Reference should be made to the relevant parts of AS 1731 for detailed conditions and test methods.
MAXIMUM ENERGY CONSUMPTION FOR ‘HIGH EFFICIENCY’ REMOTE DISPLAY CABINETS
|
Type |
Maximum Energy Consumption TEC/TDA (kWh/day/m2) |
|---|---|
|
RS 1 – Unlit Shelves |
8.37 |
|
RS 1 – Lit Shelves |
10.66 |
|
RS 2 – Unlit Shelves |
8.49 |
|
RS 2 – Lit Shelves |
11.32 |
|
RS 3 – Unlit Shelves |
10.32 |
|
RS 3 – Lit Shelves |
12.26 |
|
RS 4 – Solid Door |
no value |
|
RS 4 – Glass Door |
6.77 |
|
RS 5 – Solid Door |
no value |
|
RS 5 – Glass Door |
no value |
|
RS 6 – Gravity Coil |
9.88 |
|
RS 6 – Fan Coil |
9.85 |
|
RS 7 – Gravity Coil |
no value |
|
RS 7 – Fan Coil |
9.86 |
|
RS 8 – Gravity Coil |
8.52 |
|
RS 8 – Fan Coil |
9.17 |
|
RS 9 – Gravity Coil |
no value |
|
RS 9 – Fan Coil |
8.06 |
|
RS 10 – High |
no value |
|
RS 10 – Medium |
no value |
|
RS 10 – Low |
12.99 |
|
RS 11 |
26.52 |
|
RS 12 |
46.14 |
|
RS 13 – Solid Sided |
12.99 |
|
RS 13 – Glass Sided |
13.62 |
|
RS 14 – Solid Glass |
11.45 |
|
RS 14 – Glass Sided |
12.86 |
|
RS 15 – Solid Door |
no value |
|
RS 15 – Glass Door |
27.41 |
|
RS 16 – Solid Door |
no value |
|
RS 16 – Glass Door |
29.98 |
|
RS 17 – Solid Door |
no value |
|
RS 17 – Glass Door |
no value |
|
RS 18 |
39.75 |
|
RS 19 |
29.57 |
|
RS 20 |
no value |
MAXIMUM ENERGY CONSUMPTION FOR ‘HIGH EFFICIENCY’ SELF-CONTAINED DISPLAY CABINETS
|
MAXIMUM ENERGY CONSUMPTION TEC/TDA (kWh/day/m2) |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Type |
M-package temperature classes |
Type |
M-package temperature classes |
||
|
M1 |
M2 |
L1 |
L2 |
||
|
HC1 |
8.50 |
8.50 |
HF1 |
no value |
no value |
|
HC2 |
no value |
no value |
HF2 |
no value |
no value |
|
HC3 |
no value |
no value |
HF3 |
no value |
no value |
|
HC4 |
11.40 |
11.40 |
HF4 |
19.50 |
19.50 |
|
HC5 |
no value |
no value |
HF5 |
no value |
no value |
|
HC6 |
no value |
no value |
HF6 |
5.90 |
5.90 |
|
VC1 |
27.60 |
20.60 |
VF1 |
no value |
no value |
|
VC2 |
19.90 |
18.80 |
VF2 |
no value |
no value |
|
VC3 |
no value |
no value |
VF3 |
no value |
no value |
|
VC4 (a) Solid Door (b) Glass Door |
7.30 10.70 |
7.30 10.70 |
VF4 (a) Solid Door (b) Glass Door |
32.40 32.40 |
28.70 28.70 |
|
YC1 |
no value |
no value |
YF1 |
no value |
no value |
|
YC2 |
no value |
no value |
YF2 |
no value |
no value |
|
YC3 |
no value |
no value |
YF3 |
no value |
no value |