Where, then, does the design and capacity difference come in between commercial refrigeration and home refrigeration? Basically, it doesn’t differ that much in design, capacity, or efficiency. Commercial refrigerators can maintain an optimal temperature even when put to the highest volume of use, something a home refrigerator simply cannot do due to its limited design for average household consumption. For instance, while a typical household refrigerator would operate within the range of 35°F to 38°F or 1.6°C to 3.3°C, a commercial one should always have a temperature between 32°F and 40°F or 0°C to 4.4°C for food safety standards.
Capacity
The capacity for a commercial refrigerator is usually larger compared to its home counterpart. Where home refrigerators may have around 18-22 cubic feet of storage, commercial units can run up to 50 and over 100 cubic feet, depending on the model and application in question. This increased storage capacity is quite important for those businesses that have to store a great amount of food and beverages, among other perishables. These might be a restaurant kitchen that relies on a refrigerator capable of holding hundreds of pounds of meats, dairy products, and vegetables for daily service.
Commercial refrigerators are constructed to be much more efficient with regard to the cooling of great volumes of food. More often, such units include larger compressors and enhanced cooling mechanisms so that when they are accessed frequently during periods of peak activity, temperatures within the unit will remain consistent. Commercial refrigerators cost more to buy, but they save companies money in the long run with their better energy efficiency and lower maintenance costs. In fact, a study by the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that commercial refrigeration systems in supermarkets can save up to 30% on energy costs compared to older models, thanks to improved insulation and compressor technologies.
Materials used to make commercial refrigerators differ from those used in domestic ones. They are typically made of heavy-duty stainless steel and are, therefore, more durable and less susceptible to wear and tear than the plastic or thinner metal of home units. This is necessary for a commercial kitchen where the refrigerator opens and closes hundreds of times daily. A quote from the CEO of one of the leading commercial refrigeration companies, Nenwell, has shown this difference: “Our refrigerators are designed to endure the daily demands of high-traffic businesses, which is something a typical home refrigerator simply can’t handle.”
Reliability: Commercial refrigerators are designed to run for extended periods without failure. Their parts are designed to last much longer than those in home units. Where a house refrigerator could service for 10 to 15 years, a properly serviced commercial refrigerator may work for upwards of 20 years, and with some models, the warranty given can be up to 5 years. This is important for companies that cannot afford downtime in case appliances stop working.
For example, one food retailer based in California is on record saying that, once they implemented a proper commercial refrigeration system, they were able to slash their energy bills by 25% within a 12-month period, with storage temperatures of food always maintained at levels considered well within the safety guidelines. This, therefore, calls for an investment worth it since the store asserted that it reaped a significant ROI in just about two years.
The main difference between a commercial refrigerator and a home refrigerator is in the size, durability, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of the appliance. Businesses benefit from investing in commercial units that offer long-term savings, reliability, and performance in high-demand environments. Learn more about these appliances by visiting commercial refrigerator.