Full transparency on energy efficiency
AICHINGER has been posting SIRIUS®3 counter consumption data online for ten years
For ten years now, the websites www.sirius3.de and www.aichinger.de have been displaying the consumption data of the SIRIUS®3 counter at the EDEKA Schuler store in Dietenhofen live in operation and over the entire time since measurement began. “In this way, AICHINGER creates complete transparency in energy consumption and underlines its claim to quality,” emphasizes Dr. Oliver Blank, Managing Director of AICHINGER GmbH.
The counter with a length of 14.93 m and a display area of 12.63 m² has now been in continuous operation for ten years – without a breakdown. “We installed refrigerated counters from AICHINGER for the first time in 2009. The presentation quality, the quality of the products and the energy consumption have convinced me. In the meantime, all of our ten stores are equipped with refrigerated counters from AICHINGER,” says owner Günter Schuler.
Since the start of operation, an average energy consumption of the refrigerated counters of 4,220 kWh per year has been measured. The consumption in real operation is significantly lower than the standard measurement. The standard measurement is carried out at an ambient temperature of 25 °C and 60 % humidity; as a rule, the refrigerated counters are operated at a maximum ambient temperature of 22 °C and 50 % humidity. In addition, the real presentation of goods in the refrigerated counter creates better air circulation than with the standard measurement.
The EDEKA merchant pays particular attention to energy-efficient and HACCP-compliant operation. In all counters, the refrigeration specialists at Ent-tro GmbH, Fürth, use data loggers to constantly measure the temperature and power consumption and monitor them online. In the event of a significant deviation, a responsible person is immediately and automatically alerted. As a rule, a fault is rectified within four hours.
The online consumption measurement of the SIRIUS®3 was installed in 2013, when the kilowatt hour of electricity for commercial purchases cost about 10 cents, consumption measurement was comparatively costly, and sensitivity to cost and C02 savings was not yet so pronounced. Ten years ago, it was left to the manufacturers to determine and declare the energy consumption themselves. Only since 1 March 2021, all energy consumption-relevant products have been registered in the EU product database EPREL (European Product Registry for Energy Labeling). Information on products, energy consumption labels and product data sheets are presented there.
According to the EHI Refrigeration Technology Study of 2021, refrigeration technology for the fresh food sector accounts for an average of 48%, and at its peak well over 60%, of electricity costs. This is why energy efficiency is the most important criterion for almost three quarters of respondents. The evaporation temperature is decisive for the energy consumption of a refrigerated counter. At the EDEKA Schuler store in Dietenhofen, this is generated by a cooling engine with a rolling piston compressor. With this design, no valves are required, which is why the cooling engine works very efficiently, comparatively quietly, and is not susceptible to malfunctions.
The SIRIUS®3 refrigerated counter can be operated with an evaporating temperature to of -4.5 °C, in night mode with night cover at -3 °C. Ten years ago, comparable refrigerated counters were operated with an evaporation temperature to of -8 to -10 °C. Each degree lower evaporating temperature saves about 3 % energy in operation.
AICHINGER considers other factors in addition to energy efficiency in its total life cycle costs. The quality of the materials used has a significant influence on the service life. For example, at AICHINGER, the evaporators are protected against corrosion and the aluminum fins of the evaporator are durable and made of high quality materials. The fans are characterized by the very long service life of at least 75,000 hours, the very low energy consumption of 1.7 W, long-term durable bearings and the moisture protection classification IP 68.
Regular cleaning and maintenance not only extend the service life, but also improves energy efficiency. At Schuler, the counters are cleaned weekly and also serviced by a specialist every two years.