On the Rocks: Shaking Up the Ice Machine Market
ACHR News, July 6, 2015. Image credit: Darren Hester
In January 2018, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will implement new standards for automatic commercial ice-making equipment, lowering the maximums for allowed energy use and condenser water use, and expanding the regulations to machines with higher harvest capacities. These standards will include continuous-type ice machines such as flake or nugget systems.
In terms of refrigerants, Scotsman uses R-404A and R-134a in its ice machines and has introduced natural refrigerants R-290 and R-744 in European markets. Upcoming U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines may require refrigerants to have lower global warming potentials (GWPs); however, flammability and existing building codes could hinder the entry of new refrigerants.
“Although sanitation and service are not new considerations, manufacturers are always looking for ways to automate the cleaning process and enhance serviceability,” Clark said. “Features, such as external air filters, removable components, built-in antimicrobial protection, and touch-free technology, help ensure effective cleaning and a sanitary operation, whereas diagnostic code displays and easily accessible QR codes help technicians determine the right diagnosis the first time.”