Luckily, there is a practical and effective solution which works for many retail stores. By retrofitting glass doors to your existing fridges, you can reduce energy consumption almost immediately, with some stores reporting savings of up to 60 percent within the first day. Let’s cover how retrofit chiller doors work, the benefits they provide, and how you can begin lowering your operating costs today.
Why Your Energy Costs Are Increasing
Refrigeration accounts for a substantial portion of power usage in food retail businesses. Open chiller units constantly lose cold air, forcing the compressor to work harder to maintain the set temperature. This leads to higher energy use and in many cases, inconsistent cooling performance.
Common signs your fridges may be running inefficiently include:
- Motors running for long periods
- Warm cabinet surfaces
- Condensation or frost buildup
- Fluctuating internal temperatures
These issues are especially common in older or high-traffic stores, and they can significantly impact your bottom line.
What Are Retrofit Chiller Doors?
Retrofit chiller doors are glass doors specifically designed to be installed onto your existing open refrigeration units. There is no need to replace your current fridges. Instead, the doors are custom-fitted to provide a modern, energy-efficient upgrade.
These systems are suitable for:
- Beverage and dairy displays
- Packaged meat and poultry fridges
- Produce cabinets
How Retrofit Doors Improve Efficiency
By containing the cold air within the cabinet, retrofit doors reduce the amount of work your refrigeration system must perform. This results in lower power consumption, more stable temperatures, and less mechanical wear over time. One example comes from a leading supermarket in New South Wales, where Focus Doors installed retrofit glass doors on existing open cases. Within the first 24 hours, the store recorded a 60 percent reduction in energy usage.
This level of performance is not uncommon. Many clients report ongoing energy savings between 40 and 60 percent, depending on their equipment and usage patterns.
Visual Impact – Before and After
In addition to energy efficiency, retrofit doors also enhance the visual presentation of your store.
Fridges appear cleaner and more modern. Products are presented in a neat, unobstructed view through frameless glass panels. This small upgrade can have a noticeable impact on store aesthetics and customer experience.
When Will You See a Return on Investment?
Retrofit chiller doors offer a strong return on investment, with most stores recouping the cost within 6 to 18 months.
Examples:
- A local deli may see monthly savings of approximately $5000
- Mid-sized IGA or convenience stores often save $1500 to $2000 per month
As energy prices continue to rise, the long-term value of this upgrade becomes even more significant.
Additional Benefits Beyond Energy Savings
In addition to reducing operating costs, retrofit fridge doors provide a range of other operational benefits:
- Improved product consistency – Cold air is retained, supporting stable temperatures
- Enhanced hygiene – Doors help protect stock from dust, insects and airborne contaminants
- Extended equipment life – Reduced compressor workload means less wear and tear
- Quieter operation – Fridges run more efficiently and with less noise
- Sustainability – Lower electricity use contributes to greener business practices
Whether you manage a single site or multiple locations, these benefits translate into a more efficient and professional store environment.
How to Begin Reducing Your Power Bills
If you are exploring ways to lower energy consumption, here are a few simple steps to help you begin:
1. Take inventory of all open refrigeration units in your store
2. Review the energy labels on each unit (or consult your electrician)
Pay attention to any fridges with high kWh usage, as these are likely the biggest contributors to your power bill.
If possible, compare the figures with modern energy-efficient fridges or ask your supplier how your units stack up. This can highlight which fridges are worth adding retrofit doors first.
3. Calculate estimated daily run times and power usage
Once you’ve found the energy usage on the label (in kilowatt-hours per day), you can estimate how much each fridge is costing you to run.
To calculate this:
Multiply the daily kWh figure by your electricity rate (for example, $0.30 per kWh).
Example:
A fridge using 18 kWh per day × $0.30 = $5.40 per day
Over a year: 18 × $0.30 × 365 = $1,971
That’s over $1,900 per year in running costs.
If you have multiple fridges, costs can quickly add up. Identifying the highest energy users helps you prioritise which units to retrofit first.
4. Contact Focus Doors for a tailored quote based on your store layout and equipment.
5. Assess return on investment using your current energy costs
Focus Doors can assist you through each step, offering expert guidance and installation support.
Take the First Step Towards Energy Savings
Installing retrofit chiller doors is a practical way to reduce electricity costs, protect your stock, and improve store presentation.
Focus Doors works with food retailers across Australia and the Pacific region to deliver cost-effective solutions tailored to your store’s needs.
Enquire now to request a quote or speak with a product specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Can retrofit doors be added to any fridge?
Most standard open fridges can be upgraded with retrofit doors. Focus Doors can assess your units and confirm compatibility.
Will installation affect store operations?
Installation of retrofit doors is fast and minimally disruptive. In many cases, work can be scheduled outside of trading hours.
Which stores are best suited for retrofit doors?
Any food or beverage retail stores that have open fridges can benefit from retrofit doors. This could include supermarkets, local grocers, liquor stores, cafés, service stations, butcher shops and convenience stores.
Start Saving Today
Every day you delay is another day of unnecessary energy costs. Focus Doors can help you improve efficiency, reduce expenses and upgrade your store without replacing your refrigeration units.
Book Your Free Site Assessment!
Discover how much you could be saving with retrofit chiller doors.