Commercial ice makers under scrutiny

The Australian government has invited comment on whether to introduce minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for commercial ice makers.

According to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water (DCCEEW), commercial ice maker energy use is increasing in Australia and New long with a growing population and the expansion of the foodservice and food retailing sectors.

Like other refrigeration equipment, there is a wide range in the energy efficiency of models on the market. Some estimate that around 50 per cent of ice makers are below what could be considered a minimum standard.

“The cost of energy use over the life of an ice maker is several times the initial price,” says the department, “so purchasing less efficient models (even at an upfront price saving) will result in higher costs to businesses and the community.”

Additionally, buyers are not always aware of the energy consumption or operating costs of the models they are considering because the information is either unavailable or presented in ways that make it difficult to compare models.

Without MEPS, the economic and financial costs of commercial ice makers in Australia and New Zealand will remain higher than is necessary, the department says.

To address this, DCCEEW has developed a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (CRIS), which identifies a range of options to improve the energy efficiency of the ice makers supplied in Australia and New Zealand.

DCCEEW is inviting submissions on any aspect of the CRIS. This will help them better understand:

• The accuracy of the market and modelling assumptions
• The effect of MEPS on suppliers, buyers and users
• Energy use.

Stakeholder feedback will help energy ministers decide whether to introduce MEPS for the ice makers, including a timeline for introducing any regulations, says DCCEEW.

Submissions close at 5pm (AEST) on June 12, 2023.

The CRIS can be found on the DCCEEW website.

Photo by Jan Antonin Kolar on Unsplash