One of the most common questions we receive from clients in Eugene, OR is how much they can expect to pay in their monthly energy bills to run a walk-in cooler or freezer. One reason people ask this is that they want to know if their system is running as efficiently as it should be, or if they’re paying too much for what it should take to run the system effectively.

The operational costs you can expect to incur for running a walk-in cooler or freezer will depend on a variety of factors, the biggest of which is the size of the unit.

For example, a 6’ x 6’ cooler will likely cost you around $66 per month, while a 10’ x 10’ unit will likely cost you around $140. A 6’ x 6’ freezer typically costs around $228, while a 10’ x 10’ will usually be close to $350. These numbers are based on a $.0999 kilowatt hour cost, the average cost of commercial electricity in the United States according to the Energy Information Administration.

But again, there are a number of factors that will go into determining how much you can expect to pay. Some of these factors include:

• Insulation: Walk-in units that have higher quality insulation will not cost quite as much to run, because better air retention means a lower need to have to constantly run the unit. This cuts down on the amount of energy expended on cooling.
• Inside and outside temperature: The lower you set the temperature, the more energy will be required to keep it at that temperature. In addition, if the walk-in is located in an area with a higher temperature, it’s likely the unit will need to run more frequently to stay cool on the inside.
• Frequency of doors opening: The more often doors need to open, the more air will leak out, causing the unit to run more and expend more energy. It’s important to be as efficient as possible with trips in and out of the unit and to make sure the door is closed as often as possible to avoid wasted energy.
• Cost of electricity: The cost of electricity varies from region to region. Keep in mind that the above estimates are national averages—your experience could vary widely depending on where your business is located.
• The age of the unit: The older a walk-in cooler or freezer gets, the less efficient it will become. In addition, older units simply weren’t designed in the first place to the same standards of efficiency that newer units are able to achieve.
• Products: The types of products stored in the unit can also make a difference. What are the weights and temperatures of those products? Heavier products or products that enter warm are going to take more energy to get cold.

These are just a few examples of the issues to consider when determining the costs of running a walk-in cooler or freezer in Eugene, OR. Contact American Refrigeration Inc. for more information or to schedule service.