Open Display Fridge Running Costs: 7 Factors That Affect Energy Use
Open display fridge running costs are an important consideration for supermarkets, convenience stores, cafés, petrol stations and other businesses operating customer-facing refrigeration for long trading hours.
There is no single electricity figure that applies to every open display fridge. Energy use can vary according to cabinet size, store temperature, installation, maintenance, trading hours and how the refrigeration is operated each day.
Instead of relying on a generic savings claim, it is more useful to understand the factors that can make a commercial display fridge work harder than necessary.
What Affects Open Display Fridge Running Costs?
An open-front refrigerated cabinet is designed differently from a standard fridge with hinged glass doors. Customers can see and access chilled products without opening a door, making this style popular for fast-moving drinks, sandwiches, dairy products, packaged meals and other grab-and-go products.
That convenience also means buyers should look carefully at cabinet design and operating conditions when assessing open display fridge running costs.
1. Cabinet Size
Larger refrigerated cabinets generally have more internal display area to cool than smaller cabinets. This does not mean that the smallest fridge is automatically the best choice.
If a cabinet is too small for your product range, staff may overcrowd shelves, restrict airflow or require additional refrigeration elsewhere in the store.
The better approach is to choose a cabinet that suits your actual stock volume and available retail space.
Freeze Edge currently offers open display fridge options in different widths and finishes, allowing businesses to compare cabinet sizes before ordering.
2. Store Temperature and Surrounding Conditions
The environment around the fridge can affect how hard the refrigeration system needs to operate.
High room temperatures, direct sunlight and nearby heat-producing equipment can create more demanding operating conditions.
For this reason, an open display fridge should be selected and installed with the complete store environment in mind, not simply placed wherever there is enough wall space.
Air-conditioning, store layout and surrounding heat sources should all be considered when comparing open display fridge running costs.
3. Night Curtain Use
Selected Freeze Edge open-front models include retractable clear night curtains for use when customer access is no longer required.
The curtain creates a barrier across the open front while the refrigerated cabinet continues operating.
It is important not to claim that every night curtain will reduce electricity consumption by a particular percentage because the actual result depends on the cabinet and operating conditions.
However, if you are comparing open-front models, a night curtain is a practical feature worth considering for after-hours operation.
Read our open display fridge night curtain guide for more information.
4. Doors vs Open Front
Another factor is the type of refrigerated display you choose.
A cabinet with transparent doors creates a physical barrier between the chilled display area and the surrounding store. An open-front cabinet prioritises unrestricted customer access.
Neither configuration is automatically the right choice for every business. Customer flow, product turnover, merchandising requirements and store conditions all matter.
If you are deciding between the two, read our frameless doors vs open-front display fridge comparison.
5. Airflow and Product Loading
How products are loaded can influence refrigeration performance.
Commercial display cabinets depend on designed air paths to circulate chilled air. Packing stock too tightly or blocking internal vents can interfere with that airflow.
Keep products within the recommended loading limits for the exact model and avoid covering internal air outlets or return-air areas.
Good stock rotation also helps staff keep shelves organised without repeatedly overloading the cabinet.
6. Condenser Cleaning and Maintenance
Maintenance is another factor that can influence open display fridge running costs over time.
Dust, grease and debris around ventilation or condenser areas can make it more difficult for the refrigeration system to release heat effectively.
Follow the cleaning and maintenance instructions supplied with the exact unit. Do not block external vents with boxes, packaging or other equipment.
Some Freeze Edge open display models include a removable lower panel designed to make condenser-filter access easier. Always confirm the features of the particular model before purchase.
7. Temperature Settings and Monitoring
Setting a refrigerator colder than necessary should not be used as a substitute for correct food-safety procedures or proper equipment selection.
The correct operating temperature depends on the food being displayed, the cabinet specifications and your business requirements.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand advises businesses to keep potentially hazardous food at 5°C or below when displayed, unless another safe control method can be demonstrated.
Read the official FSANZ guidance on displaying food.
Regular temperature checks can also help identify a refrigeration problem before it becomes a larger issue.
How to Compare Open Display Fridge Energy Use Before Buying
When comparing open display fridge running costs, do not compare cabinets using purchase price alone.
Check:
- Cabinet size and usable display area
- Intended operating temperature
- Store ambient conditions
- Night-curtain or door configuration
- Ventilation requirements
- Electrical requirements
- Maintenance access
- Available energy-performance information
Commercial refrigerated cabinets in Australia are covered by energy-efficiency requirements under the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards framework.
For official information, visit the Australian Government Energy Rating refrigerated cabinet guidance.
Do Not Choose a Fridge Based on Energy Use Alone
Low electricity consumption is valuable, but refrigeration also needs to suit the job it is being purchased to perform.
A busy convenience store may prioritise rapid access to drinks and meals. A supermarket may require a wider merchandising area. Another retailer may prefer transparent doors across the front of the display.
The best choice balances customer access, cabinet capacity, food-safety requirements, store layout and open display fridge running costs.
Compare Freeze Edge Open Display Fridges
Freeze Edge supplies open display refrigeration for supermarkets, convenience stores, cafés, petrol stations and food retailers across Australia.
Our current range includes open-front cabinets in different widths and finishes, plus selected frameless-door display refrigeration.
Browse our open display fridge range or contact Freeze Edge with your measurements, store photos and refrigeration requirements.
Before ordering a large cabinet, you can also read our commercial fridge dimensions guide to help check the installation space and delivery route.
Open Display Fridge Running Costs FAQs
How much does an open display fridge cost to run?
There is no single running-cost figure for every cabinet. Electricity use depends on the exact model, cabinet size, store conditions, operating temperature, maintenance and trading pattern. Use verified energy data for the specific cabinet where available.
Do night curtains reduce energy use?
A night curtain creates a barrier across the open front when customer access is not required. The actual effect on electricity consumption varies by cabinet and operating conditions, so avoid relying on a generic percentage saving.
Is a fridge with doors cheaper to run than an open-front fridge?
Door configuration is one factor, but it should not be used on its own to calculate operating costs. Compare the exact cabinet models and their verified performance information.
How can I stop my display fridge from working harder than necessary?
Keep ventilation and internal airflow clear, maintain the cabinet according to the manufacturer instructions, monitor temperatures and avoid unnecessary heat exposure around the unit.