Why work for Zero Zone – Refrigeration Systems Division? Because we make COOL stuff that keeps stuff COOL!

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EPA2017: Changing Regulations for Retail Food Refrigeration

EPA2017 will arrive soon, bringing new regulations for the retail food refrigeration industry. These changes could potentially affect you. The new regulations specify which refrigerants are being phased out and which ones meet the new EPA guidelines.

Understanding New Responsibilities

All food retailers should click on the link below to see the pending regulations and your new responsibilities. By following the four steps described, you will better understand what is changing and what you need to do to prepare.

EPA Guidelines for Retail Food Refrigeration

According to the EPA: “Retail food refrigeration, or commercial refrigeration, includes equipment designed to store and display chilled or frozen goods for commercial sale. This end-use includes the following categories of equipment: stand-alone equipment, remote condensing units, and supermarket systems.”

Navigating EPA2017 Requirements

Zero Zone acknowledges that the 2017 EPA requirements can be difficult to understand and apply to store design needs. To help you sort through all the possibilities, we offer this document to narrow down the available options. A methodical approach is recommended, involving four critical steps:

1. Determine if the system is a supermarket system (rack) or remote condensing unit.
2. Identify the date it will become operational.
3. Determine if it’s a new or a retrofit system.
4. Apply EPA rules to the system design.

Zero Zone’s Commitment to Quality

Since 1961, Zero Zone has been a leading manufacturer of high-quality, energy-efficient refrigerated display cases and commercial and industrial refrigeration systems. All of our display merchandisers are remote cases designed to be connected to individual condensing units, rack systems, or top-mount, field-installed condensing unit kits (Hybrid™ Display Cases). The display case installation should conform to local codes, including necessary permits for remote installations.

Helping Retailers Choose EPA Approved Refrigerants

This document is designed for supermarket and related food retailers to help determine the best EPA approved refrigerant to suit the retailer’s specific goals, based on comparisons of energy efficiency, GWP, refrigerant costs, and more.

Learn more here: 2017 EPA Retail Food Refrigeration Regulations

The well-known Edge™ Distributed Refrigeration System line has a new family member! Introducing the Edge™ XT System – meant for outdoor applications that can be installed on a roof or on a concrete pad behind the store. It features a weather-tight control panel and a sturdy galvanized exterior.

Zero Zone, Inc. is pleased to introduce the Edge™ XT Distributed System, an outdoor version of our well-known Edge™ Distributed System line. Distributed refrigeration systems are used by small retail format stores that do not require a large refrigeration rack to cool the small number of refrigerated display cases and walk-ins in their facilities. Distributed systems are also very popular with larger supermarket chains, who prefer several smaller distributed systems rather than pumping all the refrigerant through one or two very large systems. The decreased refrigerant charge of smaller distributed systems minimizes environmental impact for the retailer.

Carl Petersen, Retired Marketing & Advertising Manager for Zero Zone, noted, “Since its introduction in 2008, the indoor Edge™ Distributed System has been a go-to work horse for food retailers who wanted to have the convenience of a compact
refrigeration system located in a back room of their stores. We now give them that same option, but for placement outdoors, either on the roof or on a concrete pad behind the store.”

Available with either scroll or reciprocating compressors, the Edge™ XT can be used to help optimize operating efficiency and conserve space within the store. Durable hinged doors allow for easy access and help protect the equipment. A weather-tight control panel and a sturdy galvanized exterior ensure that the Edge™ XT will deliver many years of reliable service. The Edge™ XT also features integrated condenser coils, available in either micro-channel or ‘fin & tube’ varieties. Easy access top-mount fans are available with single speed or variable speed ECM motors.

For more information about the entire Edge™ Distributed System line of products, visit Efficient Distributed Refrigeration Systems | Zero Zone

Established in 1961, Zero Zone is a leading manufacturer of refrigerated glass door display cases and commercial refrigeration systems for supermarkets, drug, dollar, and convenience stores. With display case plants in North Prairie, Mukwonago, and Waukesha, WI and refrigeration systems plants in Ramsey, MN and Dyersville, IA, Zero Zone also manufactures industrial refrigeration systems for cold storage, food processing, and ice arenas.

We’ve all heard about the contaminated drinking water supply in Flint, Michigan. Fortunately, here in Wisconsin, most of us at Zero Zone have never had to personally deal with a problem such as that.

One of our employees recently saw an opportunity to help the people of Flint in a small, but meaningful, way.

On Tuesday, February 9^th, 2016, Zero Zone had a planned display case delivery to a dollar store in Flint, Michigan. Nancy Sadler, an account manager here at Zero Zone, was coordinating the shipment and thought, “Why not send a shipment of bottled water along with our display cases? There is plenty of room in the truck.” So, Nancy contacted a local bottled water company, Century Springs, and Mukwonago-based transportation company, Kezman Transportation. With only a short window of opportunity before our display case had to be shipped, all parties involved stepped up to assist with this endeavor. When all was said and done, 80 cases of donated bottled spring water were sent to the Catholic Charities–Center for Hope, which handled the distribution to those in need in the Flint community.

This act of kindness could not have been accomplished without the help of Century Springs, Kezman Transportation, the Red Cross in Flint, Catholic Charities–Center for Hope, and of course our employees here at Zero Zone. A big THANK YOU to everyone who made this possible! We sincerely hope this has helped the Flint community and are proud to have an employee like Nancy who was willing to take that extra step to find a creative way to help others.

The Flint Water Crisis was a result of lead contamination in the community’s municipal water and affected around 66% of households. Learn more about the Flint Water Crisis here.

Learn more about who Zero Zone is as a company here.

Corey Hill, Owner at Food Valu, shares the experience he had working with the Zero Zone team. He also talks about what drove him to purchase the Crystal Merchandiser® RVMC24 and how they were able to increase their SKU’s by 187 units!