The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing new Energy Star requirements for commercial refrigerators and freezers, which, on average, will be 33 percent more energy efficient than standard models. The requirements are effective from January 1, 2010, the same date that new federal standards take effect, and from then, purchasers of commercial glass door refrigerators and freezers can expect to save up to $800 per refrigerator and $2,500 per freezer over the expected 10-year life of the product

According to EPA, this revised specification will provide consumers with a choice to deliver energy efficient products with the performance they expect and, if all commercial refrigerators and freezers sold in the United States meet the new Energy Star specification, the energy savings would grow to $275 million per year and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those outputted from nearly 400,000 vehicles.