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Upgrades and Retirements

One of the most effective ways to reduce energy in your lab? Get rid of old freezers that you no longer need!

Second best? Replace an old, inefficient freezer with a new ultra-efficient freezer.

Earn points for each refrigeration unit for each of the following actions:


Retirement

Retiring or unplugging unneeded refrigeration units is the ultimate way to save energy and space.

Refrigeration units must be fully retired or expected to be unplugged for at least one year to receive credit. If you have a glass door refrigerator, you may count each door as a separate unit when filling out the score sheet – that’s how energy-intensive they are!


Upgrades

It used to be very difficult to find an energy-efficient lab freezer or refrigerator – not so any more. If your lab is in the market for new cold storage units, consider adding energy-efficiency to the list of important criteria.

  • Labs seeking to purchase a ULT freezer can apply to the Efficient Freezer Rebate Program (EFRP). Through EFRP, the Renewable Energy Special Projects Committee (RESPC) provides 35% instant rebates (up to $5,000) for the purchase of approved ULT models. For more information, please visit https://respc.web.unc.edu/efficient-freezer-rebate-program/.

 

Any new units that use less energy than the units that they are replacing are eligible for credit in this challenge. Use an energy meter to find out how much energy the equipment is consuming or ask the manufacturer to provide you with the specifications.

 

Purchases of a new energy efficient freezer during the Challenge will also count toward total points.

  • Don’t wait! If your lab wins the UNC Freezer Challenge, we will reimburse $5,000 for your purchase. Just be sure to purchase one of the approved models.