In December 2021, UCSF conducted a campus wide pilot program with the aim of transitioning approximately 1,200 energy-intensive ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers to Energy Star certified models. Energy Star freezers consume less than half the energy of standard ULT freezers, resulting in significant reductions in carbon emissions and energy costs. UCSF has received funding from SEP, Strategic Energy Partnership, and additionally has received rebate incentives from PG&E upon installation of the freezers.
Background
UCSF is a research institution at the cutting edge of pharmaceutical and medical research. Many of the research labs require ultra-low temperatures to store and preserve biological samples. Typically, freezers range from –80C to –70C. These freezers, especially when they are outdated, have extremely high energy demands, sometimes using over 1000kwH per year- almost as much as a 500 square foot apartment in San Francisco. Energy Star freezers offer a number of features that significantly reduce energy use, including improved insulation, efficient compressors, LED lighting, improved sealing technology, defrost cycles, sustainable refrigerants and more. They run on only 395kwH per year of electricity, which equates to about $60 per freezer per year.
Results
In addition to the 43 freezers replaced in the pilot program, UCSF has since created an incentive program for labs to update freezers on campus, and is continuing this process into the foreseeable future. The savings of one ULT freezer are 6,326 kWh which amounts to $14,000 per year. This results in a calculated savings of $130,933 in 2023.
Transitioning ~1,200 energy-intensive ultra-low temperature freezers to Energy Star certified models.
