Department of Energy Meeting

The Department of Energy (DOE) has begun the first step in developing a standardized testing procedure for energy efficiency requirements in walk-in coolers and freezers. On February 4, 2009, the Department of Energy held a public meeting to discuss the proposed standardized testing process. In the Energy Independence and Securities Act of 2007 (EISA), it states there must be a performance-based standard for walk-in coolers and freezers in place by January 1, 2012. This requirement was one of the main topics presented at the meeting. The purpose of the meeting was to familiarize interested parties with the approach and analytical tools that DOE anticipates using in the future. DOE proposed a preliminary document describing their plans for regulating energy efficiency in walk-ins. The meeting provided an opportunity for feedback and comments on the Framework Document.

Ellis Craig (Owner) and Luke Craig (VP of Operations) represented U.S. Cooler by attending the meeting in Washington, D.C. at the beginning of February. The meeting represented just the beginning steps of arriving at a standardized testing method for the walk-in cooler and freezer industry.

NAFEM 2009

Our Customers Buy Smart

February 5, 2009 Orlando, FL — Although the attendance at the NAFEM Show was lower this year, the quality of the people who stopped by our booth was the best we have seen. This year at the NAFEM Show, U.S. Cooler placed two Smart Cars atop one of our 7’7” x 20’ walk-ins. The Smart Cars were successful in grabbing attention and were visible from across the showroom.
We borrowed the cars from The Smart Center in Orlando. On one side of the cooler, we showed a cutout in the wall, displaying our three types of foam insulation; Extruded Polystyrene, Hybrid and Polyurethane. Many people found it useful to compare the insulations side-by-side and to discuss the characteristics of each. Overall, the show was a huge success!

There Needs to be a Walk-In Cooler and Freezer Certification Program

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) warns that the new walk-in cooler and freezer law could hurt manufacturers. The problem with the new law is that there is no enforcement mechanism built in, so a non-compliant company can manufacture walk-ins using their same old inferior panels and methods and beat compliant manufactures on price.

To address this issue, AHRI is launching an initiative to educate distributors, installers, and equipment owners about the new standard and its requirements. The association has developed a simple checklist that installers and equipment owners can use to make sure the walk-in cooler or freezer being specified or installed complies with federal law. The checklist is available at www.ahrinet.org/ARI/util/showdoc.aspx?doc=1202.

In addition to customer education, manufacturers believe the solution is the development of a certification program for walk-in coolers and freezers that would clearly identify those units that have been independently tested to verify they achieve a federally established minimum performance rating.

AHRI said the federal government is working with industry to develop a testing methodology for this equipment by 2010. In addition, a final rule is expected to be adopted in January 2012 that will establish a performance-based standard.

The full article can be found here.

New Hybrid Panels

U.S. Cooler introduces New Green Hybrid Walk-in Coolers

Quincy, IL, December 23, 2008–U.S. Cooler is introducing their new green Hybrid panels for walk-in coolers.  U.S. Cooler’s new product launch will be January 1, 2009. The Hybrid panel is a 4” thick panel, consisting of 3” Extruded Polystyrene and 1” Expanded Polystyrene, which exceeds EISA requirements.  This combination provides the customer with the strength and moisture resistance of Extruded Polystyrene and the insulation economics of Expanded Polystyrene.  With these crucial characteristics, the Hybrid is the best designed and engineered competitively priced panel in the market.  U.S. Cooler will offer the Hybrid cooler in addition to their leading line of 4” Extruded Polystyrene coolers and freezers.  Unlike Polyurethane walk-in manufacturers, U.S. Cooler’s panels are 100% recyclable and are made from over 60% recycled materials.

When purchasing a new walk-in cooler or freezer, the initial cost of the walk-in is almost always the deciding factor. With U.S. Cooler’s new Hybrid Cooler you will receive a high-quality box at a reduced price. In addition to the up-front cost savings, the Hybrid will also save you money over the lifecycle of your walk-in. The Hybrid cooler is ideal for the customer that wants the most efficient and competitively priced walk-in cooler in the industry. Its overall product lifecycle cost will prove that this walk-in is one of the best walk-in coolers available.

The goal of U.S. Cooler’s high quality walk-ins is to obtain and maintain the highest possible R-value, ultimately resulting in energy and cost savings. Both Expanded and Extruded Polystyrene are a closed-cell structure that is free of voids preventing both air and moisture infiltration which allows it to sustain a high thermal opposition through the life of the walk-in.

Congress passed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to help reduce energy consumption in the United States. The Act requires commercial walk-in coolers and freezers under 3,000 square feet to contain an insulation R-value of at least R-25 for coolers and R-32 for freezers. U.S. Cooler’s products exceed the government requirements. U.S. Cooler’s new Hybrid cooler has an R-value of 25.8 while their freezers have an R-value of 32.4, both exceeding government standards.

Our New Hybrid Insulation

You can also read about the differences between extruded polystyrene and polyurethane.