Designed for walk-in coolers, freezers, and refrigerated warehouses, the KE2 Evaporator Efficiency controller (KE2 Evap) is unique not only for its approach to energy-saving defrost control, but also the benefit it provides in reducing or eliminating ice buildup in freezers, claimed the company.

As the supermarket industry continues to embrace so-called ‘natural refrigerants,’ manufacturers also continue to seek improvements in energy efficiency with what they hope is easy to use equipment for service technicians. The FMI Food Retail Show was a major showcase for these developments at this year’s show in Dallas.

Perlick Corp., which makes package bar equipment, beverage dispensing systems, and residential undercounter refrigeration, has announced that its patented Signature Series 48-inch freezer/refrigerator (HP48FR) has been awarded the Energy Star® Most Efficient designation for 2012.

When an eastern Ohio food processor sought to curb exorbitant energy losses and icing maintenance costs at its cold storage freezer doorway, industrial door equipment dealer Fairborn Equipment Co. of Ohio solved the green challenge with a customized air curtain installation.

What do a smart compressor, an indoor/outdoor undercounter refrigerator, and a reach-in refrigerator case have in common? All three are winners in The NEWS’ ninth annual Dealer Design Awards’ Refrigeration & Ice Machines category.

Frost or ice buildup is a normal part of any freezer operation, and is removed by using heated defrost cycles at timed intervals. During normal operation, the amount of this buildup should not get to the point that problems will occur. However, in some abnormal circumstances, it can lead to problems.

The most recent Food Marketing Institute Expo in Dallas and National Restaurant Association Restaurant-Hotel-Motel Show in Chicago brought out the very latest in ice-making equipment, storage bins, and walk-in freezers and coolers as well as reach-in versions. This roundup of the latest in equipment is culled from both shows.

The most important thing for me is to go to the trade shows where refrigeration is emphasized. The most recent examples were the Food Marketing Institute’s Food Retail Show in Dallas this past May, and then the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show a few days later in Chicago.

The Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Technology Institute (AHRTI) has completed a research project on performance standards for walk-in refrigerator and freezer systems.

One of the basic components selected when installing a walk-in cooler/freezer or any field-assembled refrigeration system is the metering device, typically the thermostatic expansion valve (TXV). The TXV needs to be selected to match the Btu capacity of the system’s evaporator and compressor.