Some losses are set by the original design and are expensive to change later.
In short: select adequate insulation, suitable doors, correct condenser ventilation and a unit based on heat load.
Plan the floor, vapour control, penetrations and drainage as continuous details. Match door type to traffic and provide curtains or a lobby where justified. Keep the condenser away from trapped hot air.
The Frostbox size calculator estimates storage capacity, not full heat load. Technical selection must also include ambient temperature, openings, products and internal equipment.
What's decided at design
- Panel thickness sets transmission. A thicker, higher-R-value panel costs more once but reduces heat gain every hour the room runs. Choose toward the thicker end if the room sits in a hot kitchen, an unconditioned warehouse, or strong solar gain.
- Door choice sets infiltration potential. A well-gasketed door with the right closer — plus an air curtain or strip curtain where traffic is heavy — prevents the losses no operating habit can fully claw back.
Frostbox standard range: The Frostbox/Algor catalogue offers 80 mm and 100 mm panels for chill rooms and 100 / 120 mm for freezers. (60, 150 and 200 mm are generic industry context, not Frostbox product options.) The without-floor option applies to the Cold Room 80 mm only.
If you are still at the design stage, the Frostbox size calculator sizes the room and unit to your real conditions, and Choosing the right cold room walks through the trade-offs.
Quick efficiency checklist
| Frequency | Action |
|---|---|
| Every entry | Plan the trip, batch items, close the door fully, keep entries under 10 s |
| Weekly | Visual check of door seal and frost build-up; clear any airflow obstructions |
| Monthly | Clean the condenser; record energy consumption to spot creep |
| Quarterly | Inspect gaskets and door closers; review defrost frequency vs. actual ice |
| At design / replacement | Right-size the Daikin unit; specify adequate panel thickness; fit strip/air curtains |
Related articles
- Where a cold room's energy goes
- Energy-saving actions, ranked by return
- The condenser-cleaning payback
- Panel specifications
- Choosing the right cold room
- Using the Frostbox size calculator
Panel and floor figures reflect the Frostbox/Algor catalogue. For help sizing a Frostbox cold room or its Daikin unit, contact [email protected].
