Delfield Refrigeration Helps Your Kitchen Go Green
Delfield and its parent company, Welbilt, are dedicated to helping kitchens become more energy efficient with innovative technologies that save energy and extend the life of your equipment. Welbilt (formerly Manitowoc Foodservice Group) received its fourth ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award in 2015, has been an ENERGY STAR partner since 2001, and is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council. As a part of Welbilt's family of foodservice companies, Delfield participates in the EnerLogic™ program, which includes more than 1,800 commercial foodservice products that meet various third-party energy and/or water conservation standards.
Why Go Green?
Energy-efficient commercial foodservice equipment often costs more upfront than standard equipment, but it's an investment that quickly pays off. According to ENERGY STAR1, switching to an ENERGY STAR-certified refrigerator can save you as much as $1,000 over the unit's lifetime, while an ENERGY STAR freezer may save you as much as $4,300 in utility costs over its lifetime. Additionally, the improved design of many energy-efficient refrigeration units mean they may last longer than their standard counterparts and increase food safety by holding food at a steady temperature that may not be possible to maintain in less efficient models. To see how much you can save in your commercial kitchen, use the ENERGY STAR savings calculator to compare your current refrigeration with an ENERGY STAR-certified Delfield refrigerator.
What Makes Delfield Refrigeration Green?
Delfield refrigeration units are among the most energy efficient available due to multiple innovations made by the company. Their condensers have larger surface areas than most, leading to greater energy efficiency. Glass door models that have door heaters to prevent condensation include a door heater switch to turn it off when the feature isn't needed, such as overnight when businesses may be closed. An adaptive defrost system clears the evaporator of ice, extending its life and enabling it to operate under minimal strain.
Some qualities that make a Delfield refrigerator energy efficient are minor but cause big differences over the unit's life. Delfield refrigeration units use top-mounted compressors when possible – a practice that prevents the compressor's heat exhaust from being drawn into the unit when the door is opened. The condenser is accessible for cleaning and regular cleanings can extend the life of your refrigerator, ensuring it operates efficiently as long as possible. Additionally, every Delfield refrigerator includes the option of LED bulbs in place of standard incandescent bulbs, which can cost 5 to 10 times more in energy over their lifetimes. All refrigeration units are factory tested with leak-detection equipment to ensure tight seals and proper insulation that keeps inside all the cold air.
In addition to energy conservation, Delfield refrigerators have features that deter food waste. High-and low-temperature alarms and a precise temperature management system ensure all food is held at safe temperatures, so you never have to toss food due to questionable holding temperatures.
ENERGY STAR
Delfield has obtained ENERGY STAR certification for more than 900 reach-in and undercounter refrigerator models, including its entire specification line and much of the 6000XL line. Utility savings from these units may cover the purchase price within 1.3 years; after that, they help your restaurant's bottom line.
In addition to money saved on your restaurant's power bill, many local utilities sponsor rebates and incentives for those who purchase ENERGY STAR-certified equipment. These incentives can be $25 or as much as $1,000. To verify if your local utility provider participates in these programs, use the ENERGY STAR rebate finder to search using your zip code.
An Environmentally-friendly Future
The foodservice industry is quickly changing, and Delfield keeps up with these changes to supply their customers with the latest innovations. The latest of these changes is a new refrigerant: R290. R290 is a propane-based refrigerant that can be 40 percent more energy-efficient than other refrigerants. It also reduces heat emissions, which can reduce the temperature in your kitchen and lessen the strain on your HVAC system. This new refrigerant also reduces the system's internal pressure for extended lifecycles.
Delfield has already introduced units with R290 refrigerant and continued their changeover through 2016. The company plans for every Delfield refrigerator to use R290 by March of 2017.
1. ENERGY STAR Equipment Savings Fact Sheet ENERGY STAR. Accessed December 2015.