Commercial Kitchen Equipment calculator
Refrigeration Load Calculator
Use this calculator to translate connected refrigeration load and runtime into kWh and operating cost. It supports kitchen designers, facilities managers, and equipment suppliers comparing walk-in sizing, prep table loads, blast chill cycles, and daily utility cost.
What this calculator does
- Estimate refrigeration energy use and utility cost for walk-ins, prep tables, undercounter units, blast chillers, or refrigerated production equipment.
- estimating refrigeration load and electricity cost for commercial kitchen equipment
- The result helps compare refrigeration options, estimate operating cost, and allocate utility cost per meal or equipment unit.
Formula used
- Refrigeration Load energy used = refrigeration connected load × refrigeration runtime per operating period
- Total refrigeration load utility cost = energy used × blended electricity cost
- Utility cost per equipment unit = total utility cost ÷ meals, pans, or refrigerated units supported
Inputs explained
- refrigeration connected load: Use compressor, evaporator fan, condenser, or nameplate kW for the walk-in, prep table, blast chiller, or refrigerated line.
- refrigeration runtime per operating period: Use daily runtime, service-window runtime, blast chill cycle time, or measured compressor equivalent hours.
- blended electricity cost: Use the facility utility rate including demand or time-of-use charges when available.
- meals, pans, or refrigerated units supported: Use meals, pans, cases, trays, or equipment units served during the same runtime period.
How to use the result
- Use it when sizing walk-ins, evaluating prep tables, estimating blast chiller cost, or comparing efficient refrigeration upgrades.
- Treat the result as a planning estimate until it is checked against actual kitchen equipment specifications, nameplate ratings, measured cook or test times, utility bills, service history, code requirements, supplier quotes, and the project scope agreed with the operator, dealer, or foodservice consultant.
Common questions
- What is the refrigeration load calculator for? It estimates kWh and electricity cost for refrigeration equipment.
- What information should I enter? Use connected kW, runtime hours, utility rate, and the meal, pan, or unit volume served.
- What does the result tell me? The result helps compare refrigeration options, estimate operating cost, and allocate utility cost per meal or equipment unit.
- When is the result only an estimate? Treat the result as a planning estimate until it is checked against actual kitchen equipment specifications, nameplate ratings, measured cook or test times, utility bills, service history, code requirements, supplier quotes, and the project scope agreed with the operator, dealer, or foodservice consultant.
Last reviewed 2026-05-12.