OT-88-14-1 -- Analysis of Design Options to Improve the Efficiency of Refrigerator-Freezers and Freezers PDF

The Department of Energy must publish a proposed rule, no later than July 1, 1988, to determine if the energy efficency standards for refrigerators and freezers, effective January 1, 1990, should be amended. This paper describes the analysis of design options to improve the efficiency of refrigerators and freezers carried out in support of this rulemaking. Energy use simulations were performed to determine the energy savings associated with each design option. For an 18 ft³ (0.51³) top-mounted, automatic defrost refrigerator-freezer, annual energy consumption can be reduced from 3.23 MBtu/yr (947 kWh/yr) to 1.76 MBtu/yr (515 kWh/yr) by the use of a more efficient compressor and fans, improved door insulation, and evacuated panel insulation for the cabinet sides and top. For each class of refrigerator-freezer and freezer, energy use versus adjusted volume relationships were determined. Consumer and manufacturer impact analyses are described elsewhere (TSD, 1988).

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