Refrigerated cabinets

Refrigerated cabinets

Hospitality businesses and supermarkets rely on refrigerated cabinets to display and store food in retail and commercial premises.

Refrigerated cabinets differ from household fridges and freezers. They are larger and use a great deal of energy which creates greenhouse gas emissions. They also cost a lot to run.

In 2015, Australian businesses owned around 845,000 refrigerated cabinets. By 2035, sales are projected to jump by over 40 percent, and the energy used by these products is expected to increase to over 9,000 GWh per year.

Star ratings

It is not mandatory for refrigerated cabinets to display an Energy Rating Label in Australia. But there is a rating that can be used in the supply of the product.

Some suppliers display a star rating using the Energy Rating Icon. Alternatively, you can find registered product star ratings via the Energy Rating Registration Database.

It is important that you only compare the star rating of refrigerated cabinets that are the same type, size, and operating temperature.

Types of refrigerated cabinet

Five types of refrigerated cabinets are regulated within Australia to display and store food in retail and commercial premises. These include:

• ice cream freezer cabinets that are designed to store, display and access pre-packaged frozen ice cream. These cabinets can be accessed by opening a lid and have static air cooling with a skin evaporator.
• scooping cabinets that are designed to store, display and scoop frozen gelato or ice cream in containers.
• refrigerated display cabinets that are designed to store, display and access chilled or frozen items in retail settings. These cabinets are not used as an ice cream freezer cabinet or scooping cabinet.
• refrigerated storage cabinet that is not an ice cream freezer cabinet, scooping cabinet or refrigerated display cabinet. These are typically used in commercial kitchens.
• refrigerated drinks cabinets that are designed for non-perishable drinks.

How do I choose the right refrigerated cabinet?

It goes without saying, doing your research before purchasing a new refrigerated cabinet can save you more energy and money in the long run. We suggest:

• reading reviews on websites and talking to different suppliers
• finding out what type of warranty comes with the system in case you encounter problems
• considering where the refrigerated cabinet can be installed, including issues such as your climate, layout of your premises and noise
• considering the lifetime cost rather than the purchase price. The lifetime cost of the cabinet can include the purchase price, installation, maintenance, and running costs
• finding a qualified and reputable installer
• discussing your electricity tariff options with your installer or retailer to ensure you have a good understanding of how tariffs affect running costs and performance
• discussing the differences between your old and new refrigerated cabinet, for instance:
  • is it the same capacity
  • will it use less energy than the previous one
  • will it be fit for purpose
  • could a smaller refrigerated cabinet give you better savings. Bigger is not always better for running costs.