Freezer efficiency practices
Ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers and other cold storage units are among the most energy-intensive pieces of lab equipment. With small changes to setpoints, maintenance routines, and shared storage practices, labs can protect their samples and significantly reduce energy consumption, costs, and environmental impact.
As of Spring Quarter 2026 we are actively working on developing a program to support labs in optimal ULT freezer management: we are refining our preventive maintenance program, testing freezer performance with temperature monitors to measure the impact of maintenance interventions, exploring the use of infrared cameras for diagnostic purposes and looking for ways to provide loaner freezers during defrosting. In the meantime, below are links to best practices guidelines:
Best practices for ULT freezers
- Raise setpoints when safe: Moving a ULT freezer from −80 °C to −70 °C can reduce energy use by ~25–30%. The University of British Columbia's Chill Up info sheet (pdf) offers guidance on when this is appropriate.
- Keep freezers defrosted and seals clean: Ice buildup and failing gaskets make freezers work harder. Weill Cornell Medicine’s ULT Maintenance Guide outlines practical steps.
- Ensure good placement and airflow: Avoid pushing freezers against walls or placing them in hot, enclosed rooms. Mississippi State University's freezer guidelines (pdf) explains optimal placement strategies.
- Organize inventory and minimize door openings: Disorganized freezers lead to longer open-door times, temperature fluctuations and wasted energy. See the Using Cold Storage Sustainably resource from the University of Bath.
- Purchase efficient new models: When buying new freezers, compare energy consumption and consider lifecycle costs. See this Dept. of Energy paper (pdf) for case studies.