With thousands of dollars of perishable product under refrigeration at any given time, restaurant owners and managers prize speed of service above all else from their refrigeration contractors. 

Trends in supermarkets can often provide insights into changes to come for the rest of the commercial refrigeration world, and — as is the case industry-wide — refrigerants are on the minds of many in the supermarket sector.

The following is excerpted from “Case Study: Transcritical Carbon Dioxide Supermarket Refrigeration Systems,” which was prepared by Navigant Consulting Inc. for the Better Buildings Alliance; Building Technologies Office; and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

This class model is Energy Star-qualified, and the signature individual crescent cubes are made on a dual-sided stainless steel evaporator. 

Using variable frequency drives (VFDs) to control the speed of a compressor can provide improved occupant comfort and quieter operation in air conditioning and heat pump applications. Always consult with the specific compressor manufacturer before using a VFD controller on any compressor.

The next time you enjoy a cold draft beer, just think about the technology that went into it. It’s likely you’ll be the only person in the entire bar who appreciates it.