Walk-In Coolers and Walk-In Freezers

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As defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), “walk-in cooler” and “walk-in freezer” (WICFs) mean an enclosed storage space refrigerated to temperatures, respectively, above, and at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit that can be walked into, and has a total chilled storage area of less than 3,000 square feet. The terms “walk-in cooler” and “walk-in freezer” do not include products designed and marketed exclusively for medical, scientific, or research purposes. 10 CFR 431, Subpart R. Manufacturers have been required to comply with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) energy conservation standards for WICFs since 2009.

  • DOE has published a Federal Register final rule pertaining to energy conservation standards for walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) requires DOE to periodically review its existing standards to determine whether more-stringent standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in significant energy savings. In this final rule, DOE is adopting amended energy conservation standards for walk-ins. It has determined that the amended energy conservation standards for these products would result in significant conservation of energy, and are technologically feasible and economically justified.

    • The effective date of this rule is February 21, 2025
    • Compliance with the amended standards established for walk-in non-display doors in this final rule is required on and after December 23, 2027
    • Compliance with the amended standards established for walk- in refrigeration systems in this final rule is required on and after December 31, 2028.

    For the latest information on the planned timing of future DOE regulatory milestones, see the current Office of Management and Budget Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. All planned dates are preliminary and subject to change.

    Standards

    Final Rule
    Notice of Data Availability (2024)
    Notice of Data Availability (2023)
    Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
    • Federal Register, 88FR60746 (September 5, 2023)
    Notice of Availability of Preliminary TSD and Request for Comment
    Request for Information

    The walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers standards rulemaking docket EERE-2017-BT-STD-0009 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.

    Public Meeting Information

    There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.

    Submitting Public Comments

    Test Procedure

    Final Rule; Correction Notice

    Final Rule

    Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
    Request for Information
    Hot Gas Defrost Unit Coolers; Final Rule
    Hot Gas Defrost Unit Cooler; Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
    • Federal Register, 85FR60724 (September 27, 2020)

    Final Rule; Further Delay of Effective Date

    Final Rule

    The walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers rulemaking docket EERE-2017-BT-TP-0010 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.

    Public Meeting Information

    There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.

    Submitting Public Comments

    The comment period is closed.

  • WICFs manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6311(20), must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations at 10 CFR 431.306.

  • To determine that WICFs that are currently manufactured or distributed into commerce are in compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedure methods specified at 10 CFR 431.304.

  • Compliance

    DOE has established regulations on certification, compliance, and enforcement in the CFR at 10 CFR Part 429. These regulations cover statistical sampling plans, certified ratings, certification reports, record retention, and enforcement. More information on these regulations is available here.

    Waivers

    For information on current test procedure waivers, see DOE’s Waivers webpage.

    For information about obtaining test procedure waivers, see 10 CFR 430.27.

    Exceptions

    DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals has not authorized exception relief for WICFs.

    For information about obtaining exception relief, see 10 CFR part 1003.

    Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions

    For information on further guidance and answers to frequently asked questions on all covered products, see DOE’s Further Guidance database.

    State Exemptions to Federal Pre-emption

    DOE has not exempted any state from this energy conservation standard. States may petition DOE to exempt a state regulation from preemption by the federal energy conservation standard. States may also petition DOE to withdraw such exemptions. For details, see 10 CFR 431, Subpart V and 10 CFR 431, Subpart W.

  • For more information related to this product, please email:
    [email protected]