Submitted by Grainne Kennedy on Wed, 2016-07-27 10:53
Ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers typically operate between -70 and -80oC, consuming roughly 16-22kWh(i) of electricity per day, roughly twice the consumption of an average UK household (9kWh/day)(ii).
As these freezers age, their energy consumption increases, and freezers used for more than 10 years can be extremely inefficient.
From the 1 August 2016, departments will be able to apply for funding to replace their old, ultra-low temperature freezers with new energy efficient models.
The funding is being provided through the University’s Energy and Carbon Reduction Project (ECRP), which is managed by the Environment and Energy section.
ECRP can provide 50 percent of the cost of a new freezer, up to a maximum of £4,500 per unit. To qualify for this funding departments must demonstrate that their old freezer is ten or more years old, and that it will be disposed of appropriately. Departments must also choose their new freezer from a pre-defined list of models that the Environment and Energy section have identified as being energy efficient.
For further information about the programme download the funding application form and guidance notes from http://www.environment.admin.cam.ac.uk/equipment-replacement-programme (available from 1 August), or email environment@admin.cam.ac.uk .
(i)Source: Analysis of Power Consumption of -80oC Freezers in the Pathology Department and Implications for Replacement Timescales, C. Cundy (2015)
(ii)Ofgem Report - Typical Domestic Energy Consumption Figures (2011)