Which commercial fridges are more energy efficient - remote or integral?

Running a successful business is always about making strategic decisions about what’s best for your long-term success and stability.

Given that refrigeration costs represent a significant percentage of a business’s running costs, especially given unstable energy prices in the current economic climate, making informed decisions about the right type of refrigeration system is vital.

Here, we take a look at the pros and cons of remote and integral fridges to see which gives the best energy efficiency. Hopefully, this will give you the knowledge to inform your choice.

Pros and cons of remote fridges

The unique feature of remote fridges is that their compressors and condensers are located separately from the display unit. This makes the set-up quieter than an integral system, which can improve the environment, both for staff and customers. Locating the functioning parts in a remote location has further benefits. It’s easier to service and repair the parts without disrupting the business or disturbing customers. It’s also a more energy-efficient set-up, as the heat-dissipating effects of the compressors and condensers are increased by their location. The only con for remote fridges is that they’re a bit mire expensive and the  installation cost tends to be higher as they need to be professionally installed, compared to an integral unit, which is ready use out the box.

Pros and cons of integral fridges

An integral fridge is a simple and versatile investment. You can use an integral fridge nearly anywhere in your store. You can move it around if you alter the layout of your store. It’s ready to be used straight away, simply plug in and go. An integral fridge is a simple, practical solution to your commercial refrigeration needs. However, it’s less energy efficient than its remote counterpart, which is an important point to consider. It must be said that refrigeration has improved in efficiency since the new energy ratings came into use in March 2021. These ratings give a modern B or C the  equivalent to an older A++ or A+++ rating. This has given manufacturers an incentive to design more energy-efficient units. So a modern integral refrigerator will be more efficient than an older one. However, it may well be worth calculating the costs versus saving of both the remote and integral systems to see which could be best for your business.

Different businesses have different requirements

While the remote refrigeration system is more energy efficient, it doesn’t automatically make it the best choice for your business. All businesses have different pressures and challenges, and it’s vital to make the best strategic decisions for your business. Choosing the most energy-efficient refrigeration system is a good idea, but there may be other factors worth considering, which is why understanding and weighing up both types of refrigeration is essential. If you’re looking to replace your existing refrigeration system, then spend some time studying your business and working out the best way solution. Remote systems work with the essential heat-dispersing elements being located externally which increases their efficiency. In some businesses, this may not be possible, or there may be significant hurdles towards this set-up. Time spent understanding the best set-up for you is never wasted. Bear in mind that a remote system will need to be professionally installed, which could take longer. Whereas if you suffer a refrigerator breakdown and need an urgent replacement, you might be pushed into choosing an integral system to get you up and running as quickly as possible. We are always here to help in an emergency, but forward planning will give you more time to consider the best decision.

Fridgesmart is here to help you make the best decision for your business

Here at Fridgesmart, we don’t just sell commercial refrigeration. We’re here to provide an informative and supportive service to all our customers. We carefully research and choose the fridges and freezers that we sell, so that we are confident we can always offer an excellent range of different styles to suit all manner of businesses and budgets. We appreciate the importance of refrigeration for your business, and will always endeavour to provide you with the information you need to make a considered decision. We pride ourselves on the exceptional service we provide to our customers, throughout the sales and aftersales process. If you’re looking for refrigeration for your business, take a look at our range or simply call our friendly and helpful team on 01792 677169.