Subway rides savings on R290 refrigeration
Test installations of R290 self-contained refrigeration systems in walk-in coolers at two Subway restaurants in Connecticut are said to have shown average energy savings of 50%.
Refrigerated Solutions Group (RSG), US manufacturer of the Master-Bilt and Norlake brands of commercial foodservice equipment, provided its Capsule Pak ECO for the pilot project. This was combined with an energy efficiency as a service (EEaaS) solution from Connecticut-based energy management solutions provider Budderfly.
Budderfly replaced legacy refrigeration systems, made up of multiple motors and controls, with new Capsule Pak ECO systems at two Subway locations in Woodbridge and Southport, Connecticut. At the Woodbridge location, Budderfly installed Capsule Pak ECO systems in the cooler and freezer. At the Southport location, Budderfly replaced the cooler’s existing Capsule Pak with a new Capsule Pak ECO system.
The Capsule Pak Eco consists of a single assembly pre-charged condensing unit and evaporator coil factory assembled, wired, tested and ready for insertion into a factory prepared walk-in ceiling opening.
These simple plug-in units require 20% less space than legacy systems, with their smaller size and reduced weight allowing for more workspace and easier handling.
Ceiling mounted, a flush evaporator coil keeps all components outside the walk-in storage area allowing more storage inside. Models are available for interior compartment design temperatures of +37˚F and -10˚F.
It is compliant with US Department of Energy, California Air Resources Board, and EPA SNAP standards. The patent-pending design uses efficient component parts and R290 (propane) to deliver eco-friendly cooling solutions.