EERE Information Center Search Help More Search Options

Printable Version 

## Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers This page presents information on test procedures, energy conservation standards, and rulemaking activities for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers.

Walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers (walk-ins or WICF) are large, insulated refrigerated spaces with access door(s) large enough for people to enter. The purpose of walk-ins is to store temporarily refrigerated or frozen food or other perishable materials. The two major classes of walk-ins are: low-temperature refrigerated space (-10°F to -20°F) and medium-temperature refrigerated space (-10°F to 30°F). Although walk-ins can be used in a wide variety of applications, they are used primarily in food service and sales.


### Statutory Authority The National Energy Conservation Policy Act (NECPA), Pub. L. 95-619, amended the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA) to add part C of title III (42 U.S.C. 6311-6317), which established an energy conservation program for certain industrial equipment including WICF. In addition, section 312 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) ( PDF 1.0 MB ) amended section 342 of EPCA by adding subsection 342(f)(3) (42 U.S.C. 6313(f)(3)), to establish prescriptive requirements, mandated by Congress, for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers with transparent reach-in doors manufactured on or after January 1, 2009, as set forth in EISA. Download Adobe Reader

. 

### Frequently Asked Questions The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has prepared answers to frequently asked questions about the provisions in EISA related to walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers.


### Rulemakings in Progress DOE is conducting concurrent, but separate, rulemakings for WICF test procedures and energy conservation standards.


### Test Procedures Rulemaking
WICF test procedures rulemaking Test Procedures Notice of Proposed 

### Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards: Walk-In Coolers and ... http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial...

1 of 2 2/13/2009 1:51 P MRulemaking (NOPR) (coming soon)



### Energy Conservation Standard Rulemaking Walk-in coolers and freezers framework document



### Public Meetings and Meeting Materials Energy Conservation Standard Framework Public Meeting



### Contact Information
Charles Llenza Project Manager (202) 586-2192

Printable Version

Building Technologies Program Home | EERE Home | U.S. Department of Energy Webmaster | Web Site Policies | Security & Privacy| USA.gov

Content Last Updated: 02/11/2009 

### Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards: Walk-In Coolers and ... http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial...

2 of 2 2/13/2009 1:51 P MEERE Information Center Search Help More Search Options

Printable Version 

## Walk-in Coolers and Walk-In Freezers Frequently Asked Questions This page presents the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) answers to frequently asked questions about the provisions in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) related to walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers.

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA) established an energy conservation program for certain types of commercial and industrial equipment. Title III of EPCA sets forth a variety of provisions designed to improve energy efficiency. EPCA was amended by EISA, Public Law 110–140. In particular, section 312(a) of EISA amends section 340 of EPCA by adding new subsection 340(20) (42 U.S.C. 6311(20)), which defines walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. In addition, section 312(b) of EISA amends section 342 of EPCA by adding new subsection 342(f) (42 U.S.C. 6313(f)), which establishes design standards for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers manufactured on or after January 1, 2009.


### General Questions: Where can I find the text of this legislation? What types of equipment are covered by the regulations in EISA for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers? What is the difference between design requirements and energy conservation (or performance) standards? When do these regulations take effect? Who is responsible for monitoring compliance with these regulations and how are these regulations enforced? Who is considered the equipment manufacturer and who is responsible for ensuring that the walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer complies with the regulations? Do these regulations apply to contractors who are repairing or replacing components of existing walk-in coolers or walk-in freezers? If my product cannot meet the requirements of EISA, can I apply for an 

### Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards: Walk-in Coolers and ... http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial...

1 of 7 2/13/2009 1:53 P Mexemption or waiver from DOE? Whom should I contact for more information about the EISA regulations regarding walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers?



### Doors: What are some acceptable methods of minimizing infiltration? The door has an arm-style door closer mechanism that meets the requirement for an automatic door closer, as defined in section 342(f)(1)(A) of EPCA. Would a door with this mechanism also meet the requirement for a "method of minimizing infiltration" described in section 342(f)(1)(B)? What are the insulation requirements for doors? If the door is glass or has a glass window, is it still subject to the insulation requirements?



### Fan Motors: What types of motors may be used in evaporator and condenser fans? Are any substitutions allowed?



### Interior Lighting: What are the efficacy (lumens per watt) requirements for lighting inside a walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer?



### General Questions Question: Where can I find the text of this legislation?

Answer: The text of the legislation can be found in EISA ( PDF 1.0 MB ) or by visiting http://thomas.loc.gov/ , entering "Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007" into the search box under "advanced search", selecting the PDF version of Public Law No. 110-140, and scrolling down to section 312, "Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers". Download Adobe Reader

. Back to Top
Question: What types of equipment are covered by the regulations in EISA for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers?

Answer: According to EISA, walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers are enclosed storage spaces that can be walked into, with total chilled storage area of less than 3,000 square feet. A walk-in cooler is refrigerated to above 32°F; a walk-in freezer is cooled to 32°F or below. The terms "walk-in cooler" and "walk-in freezer" do not include products designed and marketed exclusively for medical, scientific, or research purposes. Any product that meets the definition of 

### Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards: Walk-in Coolers and ... http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial...

2 of 7 2/13/2009 1:53 P M"walk-in cooler" or "walk-in freezer" is subject to the EISA requirements for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers.

Back to Top
Question: What is the difference between design requirements and energy conservation (or performance) standards?

Answer: Design requirements are specific features that are required in the design of walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers (e.g., floor insulation of at least R-28 for walk-in freezers). In section 312(b) of EISA 2007, Congress mandated specific design requirements for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers that took effect on January 1, 2009. In contrast, energy conservation (or performance) standards for regulated equipment describe the required level of performance (e.g., maximum kWh/year energy consumption) and provide a manufacturer with discretion in determining—among the many available options—how best to meet that performance level. Section 312(b) of EISA also provides that performance standards for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers will be established by DOE through a rulemaking process and published no later than January 1, 2012, with an effective date three years from the date of publication. Manufacturers of walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers will be required to meet both the design requirements mandated by Congress in EISA (by January 1, 2009) and the future performance standards (once the performance standards are effective).

Back to Top
Question: When do these regulations take effect?

Answer: The design requirements mandated by Congress in EISA took effect on January 1, 2009, and apply to all walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers manufactured on or after this date. Performance standards will be established by DOE through a rulemaking process and published no later than January 1, 2012. These standards will take effect three years after publication and apply to all walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers manufactured on or after that date.

Back to Top
Question: Who is responsible for monitoring compliance with these regulations and how are these regulations enforced?

Answer: DOE is responsible for enforcing Federal energy standards, whether those standards were developed through a DOE 

### Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards: Walk-in Coolers and ... http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial...

3 of 7 2/13/2009 1:53 P Mrulemaking or prescribed by Congress. DOE establishes specific enforcement regulations for each product covered by these standards, which may require manufacturers to file documents such as a compliance statement and a certification report. In a compliance statement, the manufacturer certifies its products meet the requirements. In a certification report, the manufacturer provides product-specific information, such as the model number, energy consumption or efficiency, and other model-specific information that would enable DOE to determine which product class and standard the product is subject to and whether the product meets the standard. However, DOE has not yet finalized enforcement regulations for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. Until DOE finalizes such regulations, manufacturers will not be required to report any data to DOE, but they must still meet all prescribed standards that went into effect on January 1, 2009. If there is a question regarding compliance, DOE will confirm with the manufacturer and the manufacturer will have to demonstrate that the product meets the standard.

Back to Top
Question: Who is considered the equipment manufacturer and who is responsible for ensuring that the walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer complies with the regulations?

Answer: EPCA provides that "[t]he term 'manufacture' means to manufacture, produce, assemble or import." 42 U.S.C. 6291(10). Starting on January 1, 2009, whoever manufactures these products on-site needs to ensure that whatever components are used in the construction of a walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer ultimately satisfy, as a whole unit, the design requirements in EISA. Additionally, on or after three years from the date of publication of the energy conservation (or performance) standards set by DOE, whoever is manufacturing and/or assembling these products on-site needs to ensure that whatever components are used in the construction of a walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer ultimately satisfy, as a whole unit, those performance standards.

Back to Top
Question: Do these regulations apply to contractors who are repairing or replacing components of existing walk-in coolers or walk-in freezers?

Answer: No, these regulations only apply to walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers manufactured on or after January 1, 2009. 

### Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards: Walk-in Coolers and ... http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial...

4 of 7 2/13/2009 1:53 P MBack to Top
Question: If my product cannot meet the requirements of EISA, can I apply for an exemption or waiver from DOE?

Answer: There is no exemption or waiver available from the design requirements mandated by Congress.

Back to Top
Question: Whom should I contact for more information about the EISA regulations regarding walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers?

Answer: The DOE point of contact for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers is: Charles Llenza Project Manager/Engineer U.S. Department of Energy (202) 586-2192 (telephone) (202) 287-1590 (fax)

Back to Top



### Doors Question: What are some acceptable methods of minimizing infiltration?

Answer: Section 342(f)(1)(B) of EPCA states that a walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer must have a "method of minimizing infiltration when doors are open", regardless of the size of the door. Acceptable methods include, but are not limited to, strip curtains, spring hinged doors (also known as traffic doors or impact doors), and air curtains.

Back to Top
Question: The door has an arm-style door closer mechanism that meets the requirement for an automatic door closer, as defined in section 342(f)(1)(A) of EPCA. Would a door with this mechanism also meet the requirement for a "method of minimizing infiltration" described in section 342(f)(1)(B)?

Answer: Section 342(f)(1)(B) of EPCA requires, for a door of any size, "strip doors, spring hinged doors, or other method of minimizing infiltration when doors are open". Since the door described in the question has a closing mechanism similar to a spring hinge mechanism, it complies with the requirements in this section.

Back to Top
Question: What are the insulation requirements for doors?

Answer: Section 342(f)(1)(C) of EPCA states that walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers must contain door insulation of at 

### Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards: Walk-in Coolers and ... http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial...

5 of 7 2/13/2009 1:53 P Mleast R-25 for coolers and R-32 for freezers.

Back to Top
Question: If the door is glass or has a glass window, is it still subject to the insulation requirements?

Answer: Section 342(f)(1)(C) of EPCA states that the insulation requirements for doors "shall not apply to glazed portions of doors...". However, section 342(f)(3) contains requirements for transparent reach-in doors and windows in doors for both walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. Section 342(f)(3)(A) states, "Transparent reach-in doors for walk-in freezers and windows in walk-in freezer doors shall be of triple-pane glass with either heat-reflective treated glass or gas fill." Additionally, section 342(f)(3)(B) states, "[t]ransparent reach-in doors for walk-in coolers and windows in walk-in cooler doors shall be — (i) double-pane glass with heat-reflective treated glass and gas fill; or (ii) triple-pane glass with either heat-reflective treated glass or gas fill."

Back to Top



### Fan Motors Question: What types of motors may be used in evaporator and condenser fans? Are any substitutions allowed?

Answer: Sections 342(f)(1)(E) and (F) of EPCA contain the following requirements for fan motors: evaporator fan motors of under 1 horsepower and less than 460 volts must be electronically commutated motors (brushless direct current motors) or 3-phase motors; condenser fan motors of under 1 horsepower must be electronically commutated motors, permanent split capacitor-type motors, or 3-phase motors. Section 342(f)(2)(B) provides that for evaporator fan motors only, other types of motors may be used "if the Secretary determines that, on average, those other motors use no more energy in evaporator fan applications than electronically commutated motors."

Back to Top 

### Interior Lighting Question: What are the efficacy (lumens per watt) requirements for lighting inside a walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer?

Answer: According to section 342(f) (1)(G) of EPCA, interior light sources must have an efficacy of 40 lumens per watt or more, including ballast losses (if any). Light sources with an efficacy of 40 lumens per watt or less, including ballast losses (if any), are allowed if there is a 

### Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards: Walk-in Coolers and ... http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial...

6 of 7 2/13/2009 1:53 P Mtimer or other device that turns off the lights within 15 minutes of when the walk-in cooler or walk-in freezer is not occupied by people.

Back to Top

Printable Version

Building Technologies Program Home | EERE Home | U.S. Department of Energy Webmaster | Web Site Policies | Security & Privacy| USA.gov

Content Last Updated: 02/10/2009 

### Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards: Walk-in Coolers and ... http://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/commercial...

7 of 7 2/13/2009 1:53 P M