Background

Modern kitchen with a separate area housing all the fridges and freezers off the main kitchen.

This area is under a flat roof, which is not very well insulated, so the area around the fridges and freezers can get quite warm in good weather.

Fridge is modern, and well maintained.

Broad variety of produce stored, on shelves which are usually full, with pretty fast turnover of foods prepared.

Regular deliveries of fresh produce.

Staff very careful with food produce.

Test Protocol

Comparison trials were done with and without the FiltaCool panels, with a data-logger installed in the fridge, and an energy meter attached to the mains cable, for a 7 day period before the panel installation, and a subsequent 7 day period after the panels had been installed and allowed to acclimatise.

In each stage a basket of fresh produce containing:-

• Lettuce
• Strawberries
• Raspberries

was placed in the fridge and observed by both FiltaCool staff and various members of the kitchen brigade, and comments recorded.

Each phase was considered complete when the Chef determined that majority of the produce was no longer fit for use.

Dates

• Phase 1 - Pre Test - 2nd June 2009 to 10th June 2009
• Acclimatisation - 10th June to 17th June 2009
• Phase 2 - Post Test - 17th June 2009 to 6th July 2009

General Observations

Ceiling and walls of the fridge were often damp with condensation during Phase 1. During Phase 2 the Ceiling and walls were generally dry.

Conclusions

Overall average fridge temperature was marginally reduced, but this is offset by an increase in average ambient temperature of more than 3oC which would typically lead to an increase in average fridge temperatures.

See appendix i for 7 day results and appendix vi for daily graphs.

The humidity in the fridge was also positively affected with a decrease in the average of around 3%, from a previously high average of nearly 90%.

See appendix i for 7 day results and appendix vii for daily readings.

The energy consumed by the fridge, even with the increased ambient temperature, which would typically cause the fridge to work harder to maintain the cold atmosphere, was reduced by a significant amount, more than 40%

See appendix ii for energy meter readings

All produce used in the trials was seen to have significantly better overall life, and to stay in good condition for much longer with the FiltaCool panels in place.

See appendices iii / iv / v for comparative photographs and comments.