
| Title | Energy Efficiency Improvements for Refrigerator/Freezers Using Prototype Doors Containing Gas-Filled Panel Insulating Systems |
| Publication Type | Conference Paper |
| Year of Publication | 1995 |
| Authors | Griffith, Brent T., Dariush K. Arasteh, and D. Turler |
| Secondary Title | Proceedings of the 46th International Appliance Technical |
| Date Published | 05/1995 |
| Place Published | Urbana, IL |
| Publication Language | eng |
| Call Number | LBL-36658 |
| Abstract | Energy efficiency improvements in domestic refrigeratorlfreezers are directly influenced by the overall thermal performance of the cabinet and doors. An advanced system for reducing heat gain is Gas-Filled Panel thermal insulation technology. Gas-Filled Panels contain a low-conductivity, inert gas at atmospheric pressure and employ a reflective baffle to suppress radiation and convection within the gas. This paper presents energy use test results for a 1993 model 500 liter top mount refrigerator/freezer operated with its original doors and with a series of alternative prototype doors. Gas-Filled Panel technology was used in two types of prototype refrigeratorlfreezer doors. In one design, panels were used in composite with foam in standard metal door pans; this design yielded no measurable energy savings. In the other design, special polymer door pans were fitted with panels that fill nearly all of the available insulation volume; this design yielded a 6.5% increase in energy efficiency for the entire refrigerator/freezer. The EPA Refrigerator Analysis computer program has been used to predict the change in daily energy consumption with the alternative doors. The computer model also projects a 25% energy efficiency improvement for asrefrigerator/freezer that would use Gas-Filled Panel insulation throughout the cabinet as well as the doors. |
| Custom 1 | Windows and Daylighting Group |
| LBNL Report Number | LBL-36658 |
| Citation Key | 11817 |
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| 1015.43 KB |