Why Energy-Efficient Commercial Refrigerators Are Becoming Mandatory in Indian Hotels?

Commercial Refrigerators
25 Aug, 2025

In hotel management and food or restaurant businesses, commercial refrigerators are the backbone of kitchen operations. While they are important for a good business revenue, they are one of the equipment that potentially have the highest contribution in draining the profit margins. They consume a significant amount of energy and hence, contribute the most to your electricity bill. 

According to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, the electricity demand in commercial buildings has increased by 11-12% annually, which is more than the growth rate of electricity production in the country. The hospitality sector has a large portion of energy consumption in commercial buildings, as in any operational hotel building, around 50% of the electricity is consumed for HVAC, refrigeration, and lighting systems. 

That’s why restaurants and food businesses need to consider their refrigerators if there is a massive spike in electricity rates or if the refrigerator is old enough for sustainable operations. Are you still wondering whether you require energy-efficient commercial refrigerators? Let’s understand from this blog why it is mandatory to move to Indian restaurants and businesses. 

Why Energy Efficiency Matters?

 
The efficiency of commercial refrigerators is an important concern for hotels and restaurants as they rely on this cooling equipment to keep the ingredients and dishes fresh. Energy-efficient refrigerators, in this context, mean switching to appliances that use less energy to perform the same cooling tasks. 

According to a report, the cost of the average lifetime electricity consumption of a conventional commercial refrigerator with a capacity of 1,000 liters/35 cubic feet is US $6,886. At the same time, a green commercial refrigerator of 1,050 liters/37 cubic feet has an average lifetime electricity consumption cost of $3,654. 

The main motivation behind opting for energy-efficient commercial refrigerators or appliances at large is the direct emissions. In the case of conventional appliances, the direct emissions are 320,000 times greater than compared of green compliances. 

If a hotel replaces three refrigerators from its kitchen with energy-efficient and green refrigeration equipment, the overall CO2 emissions generated are 5.07 tons less than those of conventional equipment.  

Why are Energy-Efficient Commercial Refrigerators Mandatory for Hotels?

For hotels, it is mandatory to install energy-efficient commercial refrigeration due to a combination of government regulations and sustainability objectives. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has made it compulsory for both residential and commercial sectors, including hotels, to adopt energy-efficient appliances under its Standard and Labelling program. 

The BEE has launched different initiatives to promote energy efficiency, and under the Standard and Labelling program, the most energy-consuming appliances are given 1 to 5, with 5 being the most energy-efficient. By making the right choice, you can opt for a refrigerator that reduces electricity consumption. 

Similarly, under the Perform, Achieve, and Trade scheme, there are pre-defined energy reduction targets sector-wise that help industries earn Energy Saving Certificates if targets are exceeded. These certificates can be traded on power exchanges. 

Also, under the recent guidelines, the hotels are now required to use non-CFC-based equipment and other eco-friendly measures, making water and energy conservation (like the use of CFL or LED lamps and energy-efficient refrigerators) a part of the star classification system for hotels. 

Features of an Energy-Efficient Commercial Refrigeration System

An energy-efficient commercial refrigerator utilizes less energy compared to conventional commercial refrigerators to fulfill its necessary operations. It often involves features like better insulation, an efficient cooling system, and a smart design that reduces energy waste. Let’s understand the features in detail that you should discuss with a commercial refrigerator supplier before buying one: 

1.  Electronically Commuted Motors (ECMs): The highly efficient motors are used in evaporators and condenser fans of the refrigerator. These motors can adjust the speed as per the cooling demands. So, this means that they use the energy necessary as per the condition, reducing power consumption when there is enough cooling. 

2.  Better Fan Blade Design: The fan blade design plays an important role in energy consumption. The improved fan blade design moves the air effectively throughout the refrigerator. When the air circulation improves, the cooling and temperature are even, and it requires less energy to maintain the low temperature. 

3.  High-Efficient Interior Lighting: Lighting with a refrigerator also impacts the energy consumption. LED lights are better than fluorescent or traditional incandescent lighting as they produce less heat and consume less energy while providing excellent visibility.  

4.  Variable Speed Compressors: These compressors, as the name suggests, can adjust their speed based on the cooling needs. This means that the refrigerator can operate at a lower speed when full cooling power is not required, and thus, the energy consumption is reduced. These are better than conventional compressors that run at full speed regardless of the cooling demand. 

5.  Humidity Controls: Maintaining optimal humidity levels is necessary to preserve the quality of perishable goods. The energy-efficient refrigerators often have automated humidity controls that adjust the level of humidity as per the contents inside the refrigerator. This keeps the goods fresh and also prevents the appliance from consuming extra energy to maintain unnecessary humidity levels. 

Where Can Hotels Buy One?

A hotel has a number of deep freezers and cold storage units, and they remain “on” all the time, consuming lots of energy. Hence, replacing them with energy-efficient refrigerators will help in reducing the energy consumption and also the bill without compromising on the performance. At Riddhi Display, we have different types of commercial refrigerators, from single glass door to four-door vertical refrigerator and undercounter refrigerator. 

As a leading commercial cooking equipment and refrigeration system provider, our commercial refrigerators are equipped with advanced features that help in the efficient consumption of energy. For instance, the single glass door refrigerator has 60 mm thick polyurethane insulation, which minimizes thermal exchange, reduces compressor workload, and maintains consistent internal temperatures. This results in lower power consumption without compromising cooling performance.

Visit our website and explore our catalog of commercial refrigerators. For more information or a quotation, feel free to contact our team. 

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