Free Fridge Program In Victoria

The state government of Victoria is offering free energy-efficient display fridges under the VEU (Victorian Energy Upgrades) program to hospitality and retail businesses in Victoria. This is a new initiative by the state government to combat climate change and help small and medium-sized  businesses in Victoria. 

Commercial refrigeration products are carbon intensive and one of the leading contributors to GHG emissions (and ozone depletion) due to high energy use and refrigerant used in them. 

Free display fridges for Victorian businesses

The free display fridge program aims to reduce carbon intensity of Victorian businesses (particularly hospitality and retail businesses), through installation of free or rebated refrigeration products that are energy efficient; and don’t use CFC (chlorofluorocarbons), one of the major ozone depleting substances (ODS). 
 

After the Montreal protocol, the phase-out of ozone depleting substances started in the early 1990s, and it was completed in 1995. The phase-out of CFCs helped in significant reduction of CFC emission, but the replacement refrigeration chemicals (hydrofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons) have abysmally high global warming potential, or GWP.  

Free fridges under VEU program

The VEU program registered accredited providers (APs) are offering four-sided display fridges, single glass door fridges, bar fridges, double door fridges, refrigerated display cabinets; and countertop fridges to businesses like cafés, restaurants, milk shops, bottle shops, grocery stores, etc. 

Ecofin Solutions ForU is offering the following energy-efficient display fridges under VEU program:

1. 86L (4 sided glass fridges)
2. 98L (4 sided glass fridges)
3. 220L (4 sided glass fridges)
4. 280L (4 sided glass fridges)
5. 160L Pastry fridge
6. 218L Single glass door display fridge  
7. 336L Single glass door display fridge 
8. 460L Single glass door display fridge
9. 120L Single door bar fridge
10.  202L Double door bar fridge

Some of the most energy efficient and sought-after fridges we offer: 

1. Polar DM-075A upright display fridge 

• 218 litres volume capacity 
• Fan-assisted evaporator cooling 
• +2 to +8 °C temperature set range 
• Max ambient operating temperature 32 °C & 80% Relative humidity
• Refrigerant R600a (78 grams)
• Weight: 124 kg
• 1.99 kWh energy use in 24 hours
• Four adjustable shelves
• Input voltage 230V @50hz, 240 Watts power, 1.5A current
• Form factor: 1610 mm height, 530 mm width and 575 mm depth
• GEMS / MEPS complaint 

1. Polar DM-076A upright display fridge 

• 336 liters volume capacity 
• Fan-assisted evaporator cooling
• +2 to +8 °C temperature set range
• Input voltage 230V @50hz, 340 Watts power
• 2.71 kWh energy consumption in 24 hours
• Input current: 2A
• +2 to +8 °C temperature set range
• Refrigerant R600a (78 grams)
• Weight: 134 kg
• Form factor: 1900 mm height, 620 mm width and 570 mm depth
• GEMS / MEPS complaint 
• Max ambient operating temperature 32 °C & 80% Relative humidity

1. THERMASTER LSC235 4-sided countertop display fridge 
    

• 220 liters capacity
• Fan-assisted evaporator cooling
• +2 to +8 °C temperature control range 
• Auto defrost function 
• 5.18 kWh energy use in 24 hours 
• Adjustable legs and shelves 
• GEMS / MEPS complaint 
• Form factor: 1618 mm height, 515 mm width and 485 mm depth
• Input voltage 230/240V @50hz
• Max ambient temperature 32 °C & 80% Relative humidity
• Weight: 35 kg
• Digital temperature control and display

1. EXQUISITE CTD78 Single door counter top display fridge 
    

• 86 liter volume capacity  
• +2 to +12 °C temperature control range
• 1.9 kWh energy usage in 24 hours
• Form factor: 978 mm height, 425 mm width and 429 mm depth
• Dynamic Fan-assisted evaporator cooling
• Max ambient operating temperature 32 °C & 80% Relative humidity
• Auto defrost function 
• Double door (front and back)
• Digital temperature control and display
• 3 adjustable shelves 
• Double-glazed insulation 
• Weight: 39 kg
• Refrigerant R600a
• Input voltage 220-240V @50hz
• GEMS / MEPS complaint 

1. BROMIC CT0100G4B 4-side curved glass countertop display fridge 
   • 98 liters volume, 
   • +2 to +8 °C temperature set range
   • 4 adjustable shelves with anti-corrosion coating & ventilation guards
   • Fast fan-assisted evaporator cooling
   • Weight: 40.5 kg
   • Max ambient temperature 32 °C & 80% Relative humidity
   • Input voltage 230V @50hz, 164 Watts power and 1.2 Amp current
   • 3.383 kWh energy usage in 24 hours
   • Digital temperature control and display
   • Refrigerant R134a 
   • Form factor: 1105 mm height, 425 mm width and 384 mm depth
   • GEMS / MEPS complaint 
2. ICS PACIFIC COMO 280 Four sided single door countertop display fridge 
   • 280 liters capacity 
   • +2 to +10 °C temperature control range
   • Four sided glass offering 360° view glass display
   • 3.74 kWh energy usage in 24 hours
   • Fast fan-assisted evaporator cooling
   • Max ambient operating temperature 32 °C & 60% Relative humidity
   • Form factor: 1890 mm height, 520 mm width and 490 mm depth
   • Self-closing curved glass door 
   • Refrigerant R290a 
   • GEMS / MEPS complaint 
   • 5 adjustable shelves with chrome coating 
   • Auto defrost function 
   • Digital temperature control and display
3. THERMASTER SC248G double door drinks cooler 
   • 202 liters capacity 
   • +2 to +8 °C temperature set range
   • Input voltage 240V @50hz, 280 Watts power and 10 Amp current
   • 1.931 kWh energy usage in 24 hours
   • GEMS / MEPS complaint 
   • Self-closing glass doors 
   • Fan-assisted evaporator cooling
   • Max ambient temperature 32 °C & 75% Relative humidity
   • 2 adjustable shelves with base
   • Digital temperature control and display
   • Auto defrost function 
   • Form factor: 900 mm height, 900 mm width and 535 mm depth
   • Weight: 75 kg
   • Double-glazed insulation 
4. ICS PACIFIC VERONA 90 countertop display fridge for bakery/cafés 
   • 160 liters volume 
   • +2 to +10 °C temperature control range
   • Max ambient operating temperature 30 °C & 60% Relative humidity
   • Form factor: 690 mm height, 880 mm width and 570 mm depth
   • Double-glazed insulation 
   • 2 adjustable shelves and floor
   • Digital temperature control and 2 digital displays 
   • 3.636 kWh energy usage in 24 hours
   • GEMS / MEPS complaint 

Quality & safety standards of fridges listed under VEU program

The free fridges we offer meet the quality and performance standards set by the VEET (Victoria Energy Efficiency Target) act 2007,  VEET regulations and specifications of 2018, and GEMS/MEPS standards.

The products listed under the VEU programs are approved by Essential Services Commission (or ESC) for energy efficiency, safety, and performance parameters.

Victorian Energy Upgrades can help you save money on upgrade costs, reduce your energy bills and help the environment.

A fridge or freezer is a major purchase. You can save a lot of money and energy over many years by choosing the most efficient appliance.

The Victorian Government is committed to helping Victorian households and businesses reduce their energy costs. We are helping you receive rebates or discounts through businesses accredited under the program (Accredited Providers) for purchasing energy efficient fridges and freezers. -- Victoria Energy Saver

 
How does the free fridge program work? 

The VEU is a state government-funded energy-efficiency and carbon market-based program. Under the program, Victorian commercial entities or households can get appliances and lighting products for free or discounted prices.

Hospitality and retail businesses located in Victoria can claim free fridges or get VEU program rebates for other refrigeration products.

Here is an example of how the program works. A restaurant owner in Victoria claims a free fridge. After receiving the business details, an accredited person (AP) installs the fridge at the restaurant.

The restaurant owner doesn’t pay a single dollar for the fridge, but the AP is entitled to some energy certificates (VEECs or Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates) against the fridge installed.  The accredited person sells the certificates to an energy retailer to redeem the fridge cost. 

Who is eligible to get a free fridge?

Only commercial entities (hospitality and retail businesses) in Victoria can claim free fridges. The VEU program mandates that: 

• The business must have an active ABN
• The business is registered in Victoria state
• The business is operating from a commercial address

How to apply for free fridges? 

Please send us the following details to apply for the free fridge offer: 

• Business name
• ABN
• Business address 
• Contact number 
• Name of business owner 
• Copy of electricity bill

Our representative will review your business details to check if you qualify for the free fridge offer. If your business qualifies for the offer, we will get back to you with a delivery date. 
 

Energy-saving and maintenance tips for commercial fridges and freezers

Even without incentives or rebates offered by government programs, replacing your old fridge or freezer with a new energy-efficient fridge will contribute to a healthy ROI, better cooling performance and lower cost on commercial refrigeration and maintenance.

Here are some maintenance tips to maximize the energy-saving, better energy efficiency and prolong the life of your fridge: 

• Regularly check (and get rid of) your fridge for any spoiled / expired food item
• Follow the minimum wall clearance requirement while installing the fridge
• Regularly clean and vacuum the condenser coils 
• Keep the fridge interiors (and exteriors) clean and dry  
• Keep the food inventory well-organized 
• Regularly clean the sealing gaskets 
• Regularly clean air filters 
• Routinely clean (and sanitize) the evaporator fan assembly   
• Regularly check for compressor oil leaks
• Check the evaporator fan and make sure it is running smoothly and silently