Doors on fridges remain key to zero carbon retail plans – but no industry-wide agreement yet

The fitting of doors to display cabinets remains a major tool for supermarkets to cut the carbon emissions of their estates as part of the wider UK drive to net zero.  However, the retailers’ trade body the British Retail Consortium has stopped short of urging a stronger industry-wide commitment to the measure in its recently published routemap to decarbonisation.

“Through that, the industry aims to bring its refrigeration to net zero by 2035 and building electricity supply to net zero five years ahead of that. Issues such as fridge doors is among policies being considered by retailers as a way to curb emissions.”

A recent academic study by Imperial College of a major supermarket retailer in the UK urged recommended that doors on fridges should be made mandatory if supermarkets are to achieve the desired levels of energy reduction – especially in higher summer temperatures. The cooling industry has long debated the potential merits of ensuring doors are fitted to chillers in supermarkets.

The BRC  said in response to the Imperial study that a range of efficiency and carbon reduction measures were now being considered, but that doors should be part of a suite of energy-saving measures including aerofoils and good maintenance practice.

Sainsbury’s study

A study by Imperial College of the effects of the 2018 summer heatwave on Sainsbury’s refrigeration systems that was published last year has recommended that doors on fridges should be made a legal requirement.

The research cited the energy saved as a direct result of doors on units as a key factor in its findings.

Sainsbury’s told RAC Magazine that it had not completed any formal trials at present of its estate and the impact of fitting doors in response to the Imperial College study’s publication.  It noted that research was still ongoing at present to create a years’ worth of data that would provide a benchmark to assess site performance, according to the retailer.

Sainsbury’s added that it was constantly looking at a range of different in-store innovations to meet its decarbonisation aims based on data and research. Sainsbury’s said it was likewise looking at a range of data and studies alongside the Imperial College trial to help influence decisions on its estate and cooling systems.

The company said in a statement, “The purpose of these independent academic studies is to continuously challenge various areas of carbon and engineering as part of our wider commitment.”