Hello World!  Welcome Friends!  While in the past ice was a luxury that hardly anybody could afford, nowadays it is so common that people barely give it any attention. Today, we are going to talk about another issue that is ignored by most people, namely the energy use of commercial ice makers.

The ice maker market has been experiencing a dramatic rise, reaching a value of $4.1 Billion in 2017. Furthermore, a report from IMARC Group estimates that the ice maker market value will exceed $5.9 Billion in 2023.

But as powerful and reliable as they may be, most commercial ice making machines share one big flaw: high energy consumption. Also, a typical ice maker uses two to three times more water than it needs for ice production, which can lead to some hefty bills for the owners.

In this article, we have compiled a short list of tips that will help you maximize the machine’s output while keeping energy costs down.

Featured Image Source: Pixabay

Buy an Ice Machine that is Certified by Energy Star

Ice machines require tons of energy to function, and there is nothing one can do about that. For instance, an average air-cooled ice machine consumes approximately 5,000 kWh per year. By contrast, an ice machine certified by Energy Star consumes about 15%– 23% less power than a non-certified one.

A good example of a certified ice maker is the Edgestar IB12SS – a consumer-oriented commercial ice machine with an excellent production output that consumes less than most models on the market. If you find this hard to believe, take a look at this thoroughly researched article about Edgestar IB120SS features and functions.

Clean the Ice Machine Frequently

If you have ever checked the back of your refrigerator, you probably already know how dirty it can get. Just like refrigerators, dryers, washers, and other appliances that run on water, ice makers can accumulate tons of rust, dirt, and dust. This in turn can lead to large mineral deposits that will gradually impact the machine’s production output and even destroy it at some point.

Contrary to popular belief, cleaning an ice maker is not rocket science – you do not even need the help of a specialist. By simply cleaning the cooling unit and coils (which are located on the back of the machine) every two to three months, you can halve the unit’s energy consumption. If cleaning ice machines is not your cup of tea, you should invest in a self-cleaning unit.

Additionally, you should also pay attention to the state of the storage bin, another machine part that is prone to algae, mold, and bacteria buildups. Some ice machines come with specialized antimicrobial solutions that can be placed in the bin or water to eliminate mold and bacteria.

Pay Attention to Water Pressure

Another easy way to reduce energy use is adjusting the incoming water pressure. This will help you significantly reduce your water consumption as well. If your ice machine’s water pressure is not already pre-adjusted, you can easily configure it manually.

Most ice machines have a ‘’water purge time setting’’ for pressure adjustments. However, before doing this, you should check the user manual as to not affect the machine’s functionality. If your model is a more complex one or you simply do not want to mess with the settings, the adjustments can be done by a technician.

Install a Water Filtration System

If you are looking for additional ways to reduce the machine’s energy use, installing a water filtration system might just do the trick. Many ice machine manufacturers offer a filter kit known as a descaler along with the product. Even if you don’t have one, a filter is worth every penny. It costs a few hundred dollars, but it will save you thousands in the long run as half of maintenance issues are caused by unfiltered water.

Conclusion

While some people may see ice machines as unnecessary luxuries, ice makers can be very useful and convenient. However, all models share one big downside: they use too much energy. Fortunately, there are many ways to work around this issue like installing a water filtration system, cleaning the machine, adjusting water pressure, or simply choosing an Energy Star-rated model. Regardless of the method, you will see a big difference on your energy bill.

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