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Transport refrigeration is a vital aspect for the freight and supply-chain industry. Transportation refrigeration systems ensure that perishable supplies such as processed foods, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and medicines get to their destination in good condition. However, as a freight transporter or fleet owner, it's also important to evaluate the energy costs of your refrigeration systems.

This will help you understand how refrigeration is affecting your overall costs. By doing so, you can evaluate if your refrigeration system is adding to your profits or reducing them:

How transportation refrigeration affects your energy use

In most transport vehicles such as trailers and trucks, the refrigeration system is connected to the vehicle. This means the systems is powered by the vehicle's fuel system, just as is the case with the air conditioning system. However, unlike air conditioning, transport refrigeration cooling demands much more energy and is used in larger spaces, such as in trailers and trucks. This means transport refrigeration can highly inflate your maintenance costs in terms of fuel if not watched closely.

Another risk with fuel-supported transport refrigeration systems is that a drained fuel tank means supplies will get stranded or delayed. If a fuel top-up is not available, the vehicle is rendered immobile and goods in transit face the risk of spoilage.

How to tame energy costs from transport refrigeration

Refrigeration cannot be avoided where transportation of refrigerated goods is concerned. However, energy consumption can be lowered in some ways.

• Upgrading to higher energy-rated units: One way to enjoy maximum cost-savings on transport refrigeration is to switch to newer units that are more energy-efficient. This is practical for growing fleets that need new refrigeration systems for new vehicles each year. Older refrigeration units can also be relegated to less busy vehicles or those transporting goods with lower cooing needs.

• Adopting inverter refrigeration systems: Inverter refrigeration systems can also help bring down fuel costs. These units work by cooling your vehicles quickly and then drastically lowering power to maintain the achieved cold temperatures for long durations. Your refrigeration system therefore uses very little energy most of the time.

• Embracing non- fuel refrigeration technology: Alternatively, you can embrace a refrigeration technology that does not depend on fuel, such as Thermo King. Such refrigeration systems will bring about huge savings to your fuel costs. Your fuel will be utilized for transport alone, ensuring your fleets never lack mobility at the cost of refrigeration.

With lower energy costs coming from your transport refrigeration (or none at all if going with a non-fuel system), your business will accrue lower costs for wider profit margins, giving your transportation business a much-deserved edge over other competitors. To learn more, contact a company like Iceman Transport Refrigeration Repairs Pty Ltd with any questions you have.