Refrigeration Systems

Refrigeration is a key service across many New Zealand industries, from commercial food wholesalers to large industrial meat works and dairy factories. If your business relies heavily on cooling and freezing, refrigeration most likely accounts for most of your electricity costs, up to 86% in the wholesale food sector. Energy savings of 15% can typically be achieved with little to no capital cost simply by improving the way the refrigeration system is used. Energy savings of up to 40% can be achieved by upgrading existing equipment and controls.

Ever wondered how much energy your site’s refrigeration system uses, or where all that energy is going? Energy NZ’s refrigeration system auditing service, which begins with a base-level opportunity study, can quickly answer these questions as well as identify key areas where energy saving potential lies. For large or complex refrigeration systems, Energy NZ can undertake an investment-level opportunity study where individual components’ drawn power, flows and pressure readings are recorded and analysed. 

Unlike traditional energy efficiency studies, Energy NZ can then assist with the project management, implementation and temporary or permanent monitoring of any refrigeration system efficiency project that has been identified as part of the initial stage. Energy NZ also has in-house refrigeration expertise, thereby ensuring that all technical aspects of the refrigeration system, particularly reliability, are not overlooked when considering energy saving initiatives.

Do you have R22 on site and are unsure what to do about it, or simply want some advice regarding alternative options for R22 systems? Our in-house engineer can assist with R22 issues as part of our refrigeration service. 

As Energy NZ is a recognised EECA programme partner, we can also assist with all Government programme funding options, including funding for base-level and investment-level opportunity studies, and assistance with implementation including funding for capital costs, project management and post-implementation monitoring and reporting.

Auditing Levels

Energy NZ’s refrigeration system auditing services are divided into three parts, with each part being carried out in accordance with the New Zealand Refrigeration Audit Standard. Audits are typically performed on coolstores, coldstores, chillers, freezers, water chillers and glycol chillers.

1. Base-Level Refrigeration System Audits

• Walk-through assessment, data collection and system check as per the base-level requirements of the audit standard
• Short report produced, including identification of system efficiency improvements and where investment-level auditing work is required

2. Investment-Level Refrigeration System Audits

• Typically for sites which have already undergone a base-level system audit
• In-depth data collection, ultrasonic flow loggings, electrical power quality loggings,  pressure loggings, evaporator, fan and compressor performance checks, and detailed calculations as per the investment-level requirements of the audit standard
• Comprehensive report produced, including quotes from product suppliers; designed to be very accurate and easy to implement

 3. Refrigeration System Implementation Projects

• For opportunities identified through either an Investment-Level audit or feasibility study, Energy NZ can assist with potential Government funding and provide project management and post-implementation reporting and monitoring services.

Independent 3^rd Party Energy Savings Verification

In addition to energy auditing, Energy NZ can provide independent verification for energy saving initiatives implemented at the advice of consultants or contractors. Such energy saving initiatives include but are not limited to: VSDs on screw compressors and fans, floating head pressure, oil and desuperheater heat recovery, industrial heat pumps, additional evaporator capacity and/or increased suction pipe size to raise suction pressures.