Whether you are opening a new store or considering new equipment, you want to make sure you choose the best equipment for your needs. You not only have to consider what types of display refrigeration will be best for energy efficiency, but also what commercial refrigerator will help improve sales. You also need a commercial refrigerator that is convenient for customers and will keep food safe. In this article, we will look at the difference between open and closed display refrigeration units to help you find the best one for your needs.
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Energy Efficiency
This is a very important consideration, as energy efficiency directly impacts your bottom line. The more display refrigerators you need, the more energy they consume. This can really hike up your energy bills. So, when it comes to display refrigeration, which is better at saving energy?
At first glance, you might think the open display case is less energy efficient. Still, there are a few things to consider. First, display fridges that are open are designed to help contain cold air. However, there is no denying when you walk down the aisles in a grocery store with open displays, there is a distinct chill in the air. With doors, you also face issues, though. The constant opening and closing of the doors actually reduces energy efficiency. The busier the area, the more energy is lost, which affects fridge temperatures and the quality of your food.
The best choice is to go with the closed display refrigeration with proper self-closing doors. This way, the cold air is contained when the fridge doors are closed, and you also reduce risk for cold air being wasted by doors that aren’t properly shut. Otherwise, you have to invest in expensive features for your open display fridge, such as shelf edge technology or night blinds so that you can close off the displays when the shop is closed.
Customer Convenience
Open doored display refrigerators do have easier access for customers; they can just grab and go. However, on the negative side, that easy access also makes your cold storage aisle very uncomfortable for customers with all that chilly air. In the winter, this isn’t quite as noticeable, as people are dressed warmly. In the summer months, though, when people are dressed in light clothing, and the air conditioning is blowing down on them, shopping in the refrigerated aisles can be downright uncomfortable.
This can make customers feel the need to leave quickly, so they miss out on opportunities to browse the choices available. This is not only bad for them, but also bad for sales. Additionally, as mentioned above, if you choose display refrigerators with easy access sliding, or self-closing doors, it is really not difficult for customers to just open the door to grab their food or drinks.
Placement
Closed display refrigerators can be placed anywhere, while open display refrigeration cannot. If open display fridges are exposed to external air flow and drafts, it can lead to malfunctions. So, if you want your display case at the front of the store, for example, this could be problematic for open display cases. This is especially risky in the summer months when warm air can come into the store and affect performance.
Other risks for airflow include air conditioning, windows, and fans, which can all negatively impact an open display case’s performance. The more drafts and temperature changes there are in the area, the more difficult it becomes for the open display refrigerator to maintain ideal temperatures.
Stocking Shelves
Stocking shelves is a big consideration, as it takes time to complete this everyday task. Doors can get in the way for staff trying to keep the refrigerators stocked, so at first glance it seems the open display fridge wins out. However, while air flow is important for both open and closed fridges, you can’t block the return air flow for an open display refrigerator, as it overworks the system and leads to temperature fluctuations.
Because of this, it can take longer to stock the fridge properly, as staff have to make sure they are leaving proper gaps between items. Worrying about air flow can take up more room, which means you might have to stock less items in the open display case. As a result, your team is stocking more often while also fussing over spacing. Your closed display refrigerator comes out ahead, as it might have a door, but it doesn’t take time trying to leave proper spaces to maintain air flow.
Another consideration is square footage. Open fronted display cases don’t require door space, which can make them a good choice if you have tight aisles. However, two-door coolers come with sliding doors, so the tight aisles aren’t an issue.
Keeping produce chilled to the ideal temperature whilst still advertising attractively can be a tall order; this is where quality commercial display refrigeration enters to solve all of your problems.
Understanding all elements of these glass door chilled displays ensures that you make the right decision the first time and finalise a wise purchase for your business.
Display refrigeration is basically a piece of equipment that holds and preserves contents in low temperatures whilst giving clear visibility of produce. Convenience stores, bakeries and other shops are just a few types of business that utilise the glass door and refrigerated body to show off their products clearly and effectively.
Glass door displays provide the ideal way to store chilled drinks or fresh food items safely whilst also merchandising produce attractively to the customer to boost sales. Perfect for self-service, glass door refrigeration offers customers the opportunity to browse what's available at choose at their leisure.
While primarily used in customer facing situations, display refrigeration is also sometimes used in commercial kitchens. This allows chefs and kitchen staff to quickly and efficiently locate different ingredients during busy services.
The term is quite a broad one that includes, not only the typical cabinet fridges and freezers that you would expect to find, but also other styles of equipment designed to effectively present stock and achieve maximum visual impact. Read more here about the different types of commercial display refrigeration available.
Along with display freezers, commercial display fridges are the most common equipment associated with the term 'display refrigeration'. Most commonly used in shops and supermarkets, the defining feature is the full length glass door. Available in upright, undercounter or countertop styles, all capacity requirements are catered for. Tall upright display fridges are available with single, double, triple or four door options, each with increasing capacities to ensure that every sized business can find a unit to suit their needs. Undercounter display fridges typically offer a compact single door design however double door units can be found. Countertop display fridges and countertop merchandisers allow shops, cafes and other retail settings to make maximum use of all available space. When positioned close to payment points, impulse coolers and counter top fridges are a great tool to push spur of the moment purchases.
Traditionally, multideck display fridges have an open front for easy 'reach-in' access for fast purchases. This are great for fast paced shop environments where customers literally need to grab and go with minimum fuss. With efficiency being a key area for many businesses, multidecks with glass doors are now also available to minimise escape of cold air from the open front chiller. Multideck freezers are available allowing for stock diversity. Find more information in the Multideck Display Fridge buying guide.
Ice cream is a massive seller, especially in the summer however it has different storage and display requirements than other frozen foods, especially when it comes to soft scoop ice cream displays. Whether you specialise in ice cream or gelato, it's vital to choose the correct display freezer. Read more about what you should look out for when Buying Ice Cream Refrigeration.
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Undercounter fridges and freezers are defined as being under 900 mm in height meaning that they can be slotted beneath existing counters or work surfaces to fully utilise all available space. They will range in capacity from 105 up to 170 litres with widths up to 610 m and depths up to 670 mm (including handles).
Upright cabinets, as the name suggests are tall freestanding units with single, double or triple door layouts. Models can offer up to litres of capacity with maximum height of mm, width of mm and depth of 800 mm. The additional height increases display capacity without increasing footprint.
With a full host of capacities and dimensions available there's plenty of choice to cater for every size requirement. Always remember to allow for adequate airflow around equipment - even refrigeration needs to breathe!
Check Accessibility - Before placing your order always measure any access points to the building including any tight corners, corridors or obstacles that may pose problems when getting the equipment actually into the property. Once an order has been processed and dispatched from the manufacturer, returns for any reason (whether wrong size, power or just a change of heart) will come with a charge. By acknowledging any issues prior to purchase and delivery, appropriate arrangements can be made. Take a look at our deliveries and returns page for more information including cancellations. Alternatively our Delivery & Returns Quick Facts page covers some of the most commonly asked questions.
Directly related to the size and capacity of any display refrigeration is the number of shelves it can accept. Obviously, the larger the equipment the more shelves will come as standard. Shelves will often be adjustable to allow more personalised organisation of stock.
Consider the materials from which the shelves are made. All commercial grade shelves should be strong enough to withstand the weight of multiple produce without bowing or bending. Generally, upright display units will offer 3 to 12 shelves, while undercounter models have 2 to 3 shelves. Some models suitable for use in kitchens are gastronorm (GN) compatible making it easy to move multiple ingredients and dishes in one motion, perfect in time-sensitive situations such as during a busy service.
Glass door refrigeration is most often placed in front of house areas where the primary aim of presenting products to the customer whilst being held in appropriate temperatures can be fully utilised. While the majority of equipment is designed for this exact purpose, some brands do manufacture display fridges that can be positioned in commercial kitchens. These display chillers can operate and perform in higher ambient conditions typically experienced in a working kitchen. When looking for equipment capable of performing in kitchen environments always pay attention to the climate class of each unit. Generally if it is rated Climate Class 4 or above, it is considered suitable for use in higher ambient conditions. Learn more here about what climate class means.
When addressing the intended positioning of your equipment also consider whether your proposed model has under mounted or top mounted refrigeration systems. This refers to the location of the actual mechanics of the fridge or freezer, the components that actual chill or freeze contents. This can be easily identified by simply looking for where the vents are visible. Under mounted being placed at the bottom below the main display cabinet and top mounted being placed above.
Automatic/Electric - Electric elements heat the evaporator to thaw any build-up of ice. This operates on a predefined factory set cycle with no need for manual intervention however operating costs may be higher. Water formed by the melted ice is collected in a condensate tray situated near to the motor. The heat produced during the refrigeration cycle evaporates the water.
Manual - A hands-on process that involves emptying contents from the fridge/freezer, switching the unit off and removing any ice build-up by hand. If opting for a manual defrost system, never use sharp tools to pierce the ice as this could result in puncture or damage to the equipment.
Off Cycle - This function involves the refrigeration cycle being stopped and refrigerant being prevented from entering the evaporator. This causes the cabinet to gently heat therefore melting any ice build-up that may have formed. The period of time which the refrigeration cycle is paused will often be controlled with a factory set timer.
All refrigeration systems require some form of refrigerant to operate. With growing concern for the planet and increased environmental awareness as shown with the introduction of F-Gas Regulations, the types of refrigerants used have become a prime consideration for any potential buyer. Here we detail the commonly found gases used in display refrigeration systems and the basics of each to help you make your decision.
R134a and R404a - HFC's or Hydrofluorocarbons. Both have high Global Warming Potential or GWP for short. This is a measure of the amount of heat that the gas traps within the Earth's atmosphere. These gases will be phased out in the future due to environmental concerns. Most qualified refrigeration engineers can work on these gases, meaning that service, repair and maintenance is easier to carry out.
R290 - HC or Hydrocarbon is a propane gas, classed as natural refrigerant. This is an environmentally friendly alternative that is cheaper and more efficient however is flammable and will require a specialist engineer to work with it.
Efficiency will play some part in dictating the level of running costs you can expect. Efficiency will often depend on the insulation, door seals and build quality etc. Locating manufacturer’s that acknowledge the importance of these features will generally have also paid close attention to increasing efficiency. You can also look out for equipment that features on the ETL (Energy Technology List) and so is eligible on the governments AIA Scheme (previously the ECA Scheme). Flagship brands typically have increased efficiency and improved longevity so although they may cost more initially you will see the savings in the future.
Many pieces of equipment will operate with a 13A supply, sometimes referred to as 'plug and play'. This simply means that it uses a standard 3 pin plug, generally supported by all buildings. Refrigeration can be plugged straight in and is ready to use without intervention from a professional electrician.
Larger display fridges and glass door freezers may require a 20A supply which is generally a single phase hardwired connection. You will need to enlist a qualified electrician to help with installation.
Some commercial refrigeration will use a 3 phase supply. If you come across 3 phase always make sure your building is wired accordingly and set up to support this system as converting can prove costly.
The length of time for delivery will depend on the manufacturer and the type of equipment. Deliveries may be made in 2-3 working days, 3-5 working days or as a next day service (optional and chargeable in some cases). Larger equipment may have a lead time of 6-8 weeks or may be made to order. If you have questions regarding delivery you may find the answer in our Frequently Asked Questions section or alternatively, if you'd prefer to speak to a member of the team, give us a call on .
The options available to you should be coming clear however for additional advice you could look to friends who are in the same business. Remember that their recommendations will be based on what works for them and you may have different requirements to theirs. Alternatively, you could enquire with an impartial and unbiased supplier such as FFD who can listen to your requirements and provide valid suggestions for you to choose from, making the process much easier.
Are you interested in learning more about Open Display Chiller(hi,ar,ko)? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
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