What do a smart compressor, an indoor/outdoor undercounter refrigerator, and a reach-in refrigerator case have in common? All three are winners inThe NEWS’ ninth annual Dealer Design Awards’ Refrigeration & Ice Machines category. Copeland, Hoshizaki, and Heatcraft were chosen by a panel of contractor judges to represent the best of the entries in this category for their innovation and features. Emerson Climate Technologies’ Copeland Scroll™ K5 refrigeration compressor earned gold; Hoshizaki America Inc.’s HR24A Compact Undercounter refrigerator earned the silver award; and the bronze award went to Heatcraft Worldwide Refrigeration for its Stratus Reach-In display cases line.

Gold Winner

The Copeland Scroll™ K5 refrigeration compressor from Emerson Climate Technologies is designed for large refrigeration applications (7.5 to 15 hp). It is used for low- and medium-temperature applications in both standalone and parallel systems. The K5 incorporates two features that deliver system efficiency advantages. The first is variable volume ratio technology, which optimizes low condensing performance. The second is enhanced vapor injection capability for maximum capacity at low setpoints without having to add more or larger compressors. The refrigeration compressor is used primarily in commercial refrigeration systems including supermarket and industrial applications. It can be applied as a retrofit solution, but will predominantly be used on new equipment. According to one contractor judge, this product is a “must-have service re-
placement.”

The K5 has advanced onboard electronics via CoreSense™ technology. The technology provides diagnostics, protection, and communication capabilities to enhance system performance and safeguard the end user’s investment. The company noted that a refrigeration system powered by the Copeland Scroll™ K5 refrigeration compressor has the potential to reduce refrigeration-related energy expenses by up to 10 percent. It helps technicians to diagnose the past and present state of the system, including motor protection, manual reset, external alarm relay contact, remote reset, compressor proofing, asset information, and discharge line temperature protection.

Silver Winner

The Hoshizaki America Inc. HR24A Compact Undercounter Refrigerator is a self-contained refrigeration system. Its unique “ducted” air distribution system eliminates hot spots in the interior of the cabinet and provides a uniform cabinet temperature from top to bottom, said the company. Its primary applications include kitchens, bars, outdoor patios, lunch rooms, break rooms, reception areas, nurses’ stations, and first aid stations.

The refrigerator has a stainless steel exterior, an aluminum interior, and is UL approved for outdoor use. It also features an LED temperature display, high- and low-temperature alarms, as well as a door open alarm. There is a cylinder door lock with keys, an automatic defrost function, three epoxy-coated shelves, and built-in cabinet installation with louvered trim. According to the company, the refrigeration system in the back provides easy access for contractors to maintain. There are two legs in the front and two casters in the back to further assist contractors with maintenance.

“This refrigerator appears to be a well built undercounter refrigerator,” said one of the competition’s contractor judges. “If this unit has Hoshizaki’s dependability, it will be a nice unit.”

Bronze

The Stratus Reach-In line of display cases is the latest line of cases from Heatcraft Worldwide Refrigeration. The line is designed to maximize merchandise visibility and capacity, allow for easy service and installation, and reduce energy consumption. It is available in two-, three-, four-, and five-door configurations along with medium- and low-temperature applications.

Depending on the model, multiple shelving configurations are available. The Stratus Reach-In display cases are mainly used by supermarket retailers but may also be used in convenience stores, drugstores, and dollar stores. The case is designed to refrigerate medium-and low-temperature products and will refrigerate a range of merchandise from baked goods, cheese, dairy, drinks, and floral products to frozen food and ice cream products.

According to the company, contractors found the product’s durable shelf standards and end frames, as well as its easy-to-remove coil cover and modular sustainability valuable, help make accessing key components quick and simple. The units feature easy access drains, removable fan plenums, and a recyclable tub liner.

Sidebar: 2012 Honorees — Refrigeration + Ice Machines

Gold Winner

Manufacturer: Copeland — Emerson Climate Technologies
Product: Copeland Scroll™ K5 refrigeration compressor
www.emersonclimate.com/coldhardcash

Silver Winner

Manufacturer: Hoshizaki America Inc.
Product: Compact Undercounter Reach-in Refrigerator
www.hoshizakiamerica.com

Bronze Winner

Manufacturer: Heatcraft Worldwide Refrigeration
Product: Stratus Reach-In Display Cases
www.kysorwarren.com

Publication date: 7/9/2012