Replace water cooled with air cooled refrigeration equipment

Why

Water cooled refrigeration equipment is common.  Think walk-in fridges and freezers, ice makers, and older air conditioners.  It is also known as once through cooling, as tap water cools the equipment then goes down the drain.  Converting water cooled to air cooled equipment normally has a simple payback of 2 years.  Confederation Inn reduced their water consumption by over 20,000 m3/year, primarily by switching out a water cooled refrigeration unit on a walk-in cooler.  

How

Look for ENERGY STAR® certified equipment when installing air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, ice makers, and vending machines.  When possible discharge heat away from hot areas.  For example, put the condenser on the roof instead of in the kitchen or boiler room.