Institutional Conversion to Energy-Efficient Ultra-Low Freezers Decreases Carbon Footprint and Reduces Energy Costs

Introduction: The storage of biospecimens is a substantial source of greenhouse gas emissions and institutional energy costs. Energy-intensive ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers used for biospecimen storage are a significant source of carbon emissions. ENERGY STAR-certified ULT freezers have the potential to decrease the carbon footprint. Objective: Quantify the impact of an institutional-scale freezer conversion program on carbon emissions and energy costs. Methods: A ULT freezer energy use prediction model was developed to identify and replace the most inefficient freezers in the research building for this pilot, and eventually institution-wide. Multiple linear regression factors included the number of years of use, storage volume, and ENERGY STAR certification status. Electrical usage and carbon emissions were quantified before and after replacement with ENERGY STAR models. Logistical methods were developed to decrease the risks of exposure of frozen samples to ambient temperature during content transfers. Institution-wide energy costs were derived by converting electrical burden to electrical costs. Carbon footprint assessment from ULT freezer operation was computed using the U.S. EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator. Results: The pilot project revealed an annual reduction of 310,493 kilowatt hours of electrical usage, equivalent to 134 metric tons of carbon emissions. Annual electrical costs were reduced by $55,889 resulting in an 8-year payback on the initial investment. Using the pilot results, we modeled the benefit of the freezer exchange across the entire institution. The modeling predicted that conversion of the institution's remaining 1119 conventional ULT freezers to ENERGY STAR models would lower annual electrical usage by 7,911,549 kilowatt hours (3423 metric tons of carbon emissions), resulting in savings of over $1.4 million annually. Conclusion: Our methods make a large-scale initiative to replace energy-inefficient ULT freezers logistically possible, reduce carbon footprint, and demonstrate an attractive return on investment while proactively protecting valuable research materials.