Lab Grade Refrigerators and Freezers Measure Package Development

Laboratory cold storage solutions such as refrigerators and freezers are critical to keeping valuable reagents and samples safe in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, university, government, and healthcare research laboratories. High performance laboratory grade refrigerators and freezers are designed for laboratory applications that require tighter temperature tolerances than conventional commercial refrigerators and freezers. [PK1]  Once stocked with samples, the units run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The COVID pandemic increased the visibility of ENERGY STAR-certified lab grade refrigeration equipment as an energy-saving measure, but ever-present research needs, and growing biotech manufacturing and biobanking industries continue to expand the market. Advanced compressor technology, better insulation, use of hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants and thoughtful design have increased the energy efficiency of lab grade refrigeration.   This project aims to develop a new California (CA) electronic Technical Reference Manual (eTRM) Measure Package (MP). This includes both high performance lab grade refrigerators and high-performance lab grade freezers, as categorized by ENERGY STAR’s Laboratory Grade Refrigerators and Freezers Specification. The ENERGY STAR qualified products list provides measure case performance data, and the project will perform a baseline monitoring analysis for standard efficiency units. The project will also compile all information required to submit a new measure package to the CA Technical Forum (Cal TF). The proposed new measure would be an expansion of the existing life sciences measures currently included in the CA Instant Rebates statewide POS foodservice program.