SUPERMARKET REFRIGERATION
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
consumption results for the fi rst eight months of 2024. Based on the estimations shown above, we can save at least 25% of the yearly rail heat energy consumption with our current settings when compared to a rail heat setting of 100% ON. In the period from November 13-20, 2023, we tested the
energy consumption of rail heat at a minimum of 30% vs rail heat at 100% ON (see Figures 5 & 6). When we measured energy consumption in the CO₂ refrigeration pack during the test period, we found that the pack used 15% more energy just to remove the extra heat generated from running the rail heat at 100% instead of the minimum 30%. As shown in Figure 6, on the balance of refrigeration system
energy consumption, cabinets and pack, we could save up to 32% energy on days running dewpoint control vs. 100% on. Overall, our test results show that supermarkets can save signifi cant amounts of energy by using robust dew point control
Figure 6
of rail heat, both in terms of rail heat’s energy consumption and the total CO2
pack’s energy consumption as well.
The tests we ran at our Smart Store also taught us a valuable lesson about the importance of HVAC system design. On the display cases where rail heat was set at a minimum 100%, we observed condensate on the glass surfaces when humidity levels reached 60% RH. Since we had already activated dew point control, and it was controlling rail heat at 100%, there was nothing more we could do from a rail heat standpoint. What often happens in supermarkets when condensate is observed on glass surfaces is that a service engineer simply overrides the dew point control by setting the minimum rail heat at 100%. Ideally, the HVAC system should be investigated, ensuring minimal ingress of humid air and optimal control considering desiccant wheels and other effi cient control methods.
"At room temperature below 25 °C, condensate is generated even before the relative humidity level reaches 60%."
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www.acr-news.com • October 2025 11 23/9/25 09:57
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