Energy-Efficient Refrigerated Display Counters: A Guide for Restaurant Owners

Refrigerated Display Counters
05 Dec, 2024

Operating a cafe, restaurant, bar, canteen, culinary stand, or other type of food business involves major costs. Not only must one seek and invest in catering equipment, but one must also ensure that the chosen equipment is energy-efficient. This helps ensure that utility bills do not exceed one’s budget. Catering appliances, whether a refrigerated display showcase or a professional electric crepe maker, utilize energy differently depending on their design, operation, and maintenance.

However, do you know how refrigerated display counters may improve your restaurant by delivering tempting exposure to fresh produce while increasing energy efficiency and organizational convenience?  Let’s understand how refrigerated display counters might be a game changer for your business and make your business a true pleasure for your consumers’ eyes and taste buds.

What Is a Refrigerated Display Cabinet?

 
A refrigerator display cabinet enables chilled and frozen items to be displayed while being stored at the appropriate temperature. The design of chilled display cabinets might vary, and it can be customized. 

For instance, Riddhi Display’s range of refrigerated display cabinets can be customized with different accessories, like unbreakable sliding windows, automatic temperature controller, adequate ventilation, and more. However, all of them allow customers to view what’s inside, usually through a transparent cover or glass. 

A refrigerator display counter is the best cold storage solution for restaurants. A refrigerator case allows products to be easily visible and accessible while maintaining them in ideal conditions to maintain their excellent quality. 

Advantages of Investing in Energy-Efficient Refrigerated Display Cabinets

The environment and restaurants both can profit greatly from energy-efficient refrigerated display cabinets. Let’s look at some of the advantages:

  • Cost Savings

Modern display counters utilize energy-efficient technologies that allow them to consume less electricity; hence, the restaurant saves huge costs on input. Lower energy bills mean a higher profit margin and sustainability, so the business redirects the funds toward other parts of the operation.

  • Environmental Impact

Reducing energy consumption in refrigerated display cabinets has a positive impact on the environment. This would result in energy savings, hence reduced contributions toward greenhouse gas emissions and the reduction of the refrigeration-related carbon footprint. These actions work together to create a cleaner, more environmentally friendly future while supporting global efforts toward climate change prevention.

  • Product Integrity

Energy-efficient refrigerated display counters maintain proper storage conditions and ensure that the products offered to the consumer are fresh and of good quality. Reducing temperature changes and managing humidity levels enhance the shelf life of perishable commodities. This enhances the consumer experience and reduces food waste, a major environmental concern.

Strategies for Optimizing Efficiency and Energy Savings with Refrigerated Counters

While you have invested in energy-efficient refrigerated displays; however, you still need to keep some things in mind to use them sustainably. There are various methods for improving efficiency and obtaining energy savings using refrigerated display cabinets: 

1. Enhance Insulation and Sealing

Proper insulation and sealing are essential for reducing energy loss. So, ensure the cabinets should be made with high-quality insulation materials that do not allow the transfer of heat and maintain the internal temperature.

As a part of your monthly restaurant checklist, inspect and replace worn-out door seals to avoid air leakage, which can cause temperature changes and higher energy usage. Also, if you are using glass doors for your cabinet, choose low-emissivity (low-e) glass to improve insulation and reduce heat transfer. Low-emissivity glass has a thin, non-toxic, metal-based coating which reduces the amount of light and heat that passes through the glass. 

2. Regulating Temperature Settings

Temperature settings must be optimized for effective operation. Decide the optimal temperature range for the products being displayed and ensure that the cabinet is set up properly. Avoid using very low temperatures, as they waste more energy without providing considerable benefits.

Also, Reduce the number and length of door openings in order to prevent warm air from getting into the cabinet and creating temperature variations. Consider buying refrigerated display cabinets with smart temperature controls that adjust cooling based on ambient conditions and product demand.

3. Using Energy-Efficient LED Lighting

Lighting impacts product visibility and energy use. LED lights are an energy-efficient alternative to traditional fluorescent lighting. LEDs use less energy, generate less heat, and have a longer life. Install motion sensors or timers to turn off lighting when the area is empty, decreasing energy consumption.

Also, place lights to enhance product availability while reducing shadowing and unneeded illumination. 

4. Performing Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance helps to ensure outstanding performance and energy efficiency. Clean the condenser coils regularly to eliminate dust and debris. Unclean coils lower heat transfer efficiency and raise energy consumption.

Inspect fans and motors for good operation, cleanliness, and no evidence of wear or damage. Clean or replace when necessary to ensure proper airflow. The door seals should be inspected frequently for cracks, gaps, and wear. When damaged, the seals should be replaced immediately to provide maximum insulation, which helps in energy conservation.

5. Monitoring and Tracking Energy Consumption

Monitoring energy use helps to uncover potential inefficiencies and areas for improvement. Install energy monitoring systems to monitor and analyze energy usage trends, identify areas of high consumption, and implement targeted energy-saving measures. Examine energy consumption data to determine patterns, benchmarks, and energy-saving targets. Review and assess the efficacy of adopted methods regularly.

6. Place the Cabinet in a Cool Place

Your display refrigerator’s electricity consumption will also vary depending on where you place it. For instance, your refrigerator will consume more energy if it is placed in a hot area, like a busy kitchen, than if it is placed in a cooler area. An approximate 6% increase in electricity use results from a 1°C increase in room temperature. Therefore, finding a cool location for your showcases and refrigerated display cabinets is advised.

If cold storage is essential in a busy commercial kitchen, pick a model with a climate class of 4 or higher. This grade indicates that the device has been proven to function well in temperatures as high as 30°C.

The Bottom Line,

Optimizing efficiency and generating energy savings with chilled display cabinets is critical for restaurants. Improvements in insulation, temperature control, the use of energy-efficient LED lighting, regular maintenance, and monitoring of energy usage help save costs, improve environmental sustainability, and increase product quality. 

If you are looking for an energy-efficient refrigerated cabinet at cost-effective rates, Riddhi Display might have a suitable one for your needs. They support a wide variety of refrigerated display cabinets suitable for storing and displaying bakery items, namkeens, fast food, ice creams, and sweet dishes. Request a free quote today for your favorite equipment. 

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