2013 Brings Spec Revisions For Energy Star Foodservice Equipment

Revisions and updates continue for Energy Star commercial foodservice equipment specifications. By the end of 2013, all nine categories of equipment currently carrying Energy Star certification will have undergone revisions, including commercial warewashers, fryers, griddles, hot-food holding cabinets, ice machines, ovens, refrigerators, freezers, and steam cookers (the latter of which are awaiting test method revisions).

Over the next few months, Fortnightly will take a look at the changes in specific equipment categories. New specifications go into effect this month for currently covered ice machines and warewashers.

Ice machines:

• Added air-cooled continuous ice machines, which make flake and nugget ice.
• Revised the energy consumption rates and potable water use for air-cooled batch-type ice makers, which produce cube ice.
• Continuous ice machines have been added to the Energy Star qualified products list immediately. The requirements for batch-type ice makers will go into effect this month.

Energy Star-certified batch-type ice makers can save on average about 1,500 kWh annually, or $165/year in electricity bill costs. These units are on average 20% more energy efficient and 23% more water-efficient than standard models.

Energy Star-certified continuous-type ice makers save on average about 1500kWh annually, or $160/year on utility bills and are on average 15% more energy efficient than standard models.

Warewashers:

• Pot, pan, and utensil and flight-type warewashers are new Energy Star product categories and have now been added to the qualified products list.
• The EPA has revised the energy- and water-consumption rates for most of the currently covered units (under-counter, stationary single-tank door, single- and multi-tank conveyor and both high- and low-temp variations).

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, if all commercial warewashers sold in the United States meet the new specifications, the energy cost savings would grow to about $30 million per year and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 32,000 vehicles.

With these specifications, Energy Star recognizes products that are, on average, 30% to 55% more energy-efficient and 30% to 60% more water-efficient than standard models. Energy Star-qualified flight-type units, new to this specification, will save, on average, 40% to 60% in energy and water consumption compared to standard models.