Retail refrigeration specialist Verco introduces low-energy, high-performance Energy Plus
Wallingford, UK (PRWEB UK) 18 June 2014 -- Amongst it features, Verco’s Energy Plus includes a re-designed cabinet to improve airflow, LED lighting and specification of an R407f refrigerant such as Honeywell’s Genetron Performax LT. Its introduction has also been driven by the European Parliament’s recent ratification of a partial ban on F-gases, a regulation that has been introduced to control the use of refrigerants that have a detrimental effect on the environment.
As a result, Verco is initially introducing the low-energy, high-performance Energy Plus as an option for its Kingston and Verwood models and plans to completely phase out the use of R404a in its range of open-chill and glass-door cabinets and replacing it with R407f.
Commenting for Verco, development director Mike Nicholls explains that Verco’s environmental policy includes a commitment to monitoring the development of environmentally friendly materials. “Following extensive testing, R407f has been selected for its combination of zero ODP (ozone depletion potential) and 53% reduction in GWP (global warming potential) compared to R404a.”
With Energy Plus already standard on the Quebec range of glass-door cabinets – including the single-door Q1XL, two-door Q2CC and three-door Q3CC – Verco has turned its attention to the open-chill Kingston and glass-door Verwood models. Already re-engineered to accept the optional Energy Plus and available to order now are the company’s range-topping Kingston K250 (2500mm wide), single-door Verwood V1CHM models. These will be closely followed by the 1950mm wide Kingston K195 and two-door Verwood V2CHM models by this summer.
“Customers specifying the Energy Plus option on Verwood models can expect significant energy savings of up to 33% at chill temperature,” says Mike.
The introduction of R407f also addresses the ATEX directive covering potentially explosive atmospheres or areas and the use of hydrocarbon-based refrigerants (such as R1270), which states that system designers follow the principles of the ATEX 95 equipment directive with regard to area classification and avoidance of sources of ignition.
In glass-door cabinets as an example, even a minor leak of hydrocarbon refrigerant cannot dissipate and a potentially explosive atmosphere could be created and persist. The inability of the explosive atmosphere to dissipate substantially increases the risk of ignition, therefore bringing the ATEX directive into effect.
Looking to the future, Mike says: “It is becoming increasingly difficult to anticipate and satisfy safety requirements where hydrocarbons are used so, while Verco has committed to standardising on the use of non-flammable refrigerants such as R407f in its glass-door cabinets, we will continue to offer the option of R407f or R1270 on open-chill Kingston and Cambridge models.”
He goes on to say that, with a growing preference for ‘natural refrigerants’ Verco will keep under review the use of hydrocarbons in glass-door cabinets until such time as equipment is available to ensure their safe use and compliance with regulatory requirements.
For further information on Verco’s Energy Plus or its range of open-chill and glass-door chiller and freezer cabinets, call +44 (0)1491 839966, email sales(at)ver(dot)co.uk or visit http://www.ver.co.uk.
Founded in 1965, Verco quickly built a reputation for supplying quality refrigerated glass door and open chill cabinets to supermarkets, convenience stores and petrol forecourt sites. Verco is now a leading supplier of retail refrigeration and one of the largest UK manufacturers of open-chill and glass-door cabinets.
Colin Jones, Verco Limited, http://www.ver.co.uk, +44 1491 839966, [email protected]
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