What BEE has launched for beverage coolers
BEE's note on the launch states that commercial beverage coolers entered the Standards and Labelling programme in a voluntary phase from 1 March 2024, with the first star table valid until 31 December 2026. On BEE's star-label portal, commercial beverage coolers appear in the voluntary list, not the mandatory one. In practice that means a manufacturer may choose to label a model; a cooler without a label is not breaking any rule.
The scope is vertical, floor-standing or counter-top, single- and multi-door coolers with an overall height between 0.5 m and 2.2 m. Energy use is measured to ISO 22044:2021, adopted in India as IS 2167:2024, with some deviations set out in BEE's schedule.
How the star rating is calculated
The rating compares the cooler's Annual Energy Consumption (AEC) with its equivalent volume (Veq), a volume figure calculated by the method set out in the test standard rather than the plain gross litres on a brochure. Each star level is a band defined by a straight-line formula in equivalent volume, so larger coolers are allowed more kWh per year than small ones for the same star level. Five stars is the most efficient band.
Because the standard test is run in a defined climate class with a defined door-opening pattern, star ratings are comparable between labelled models even if your shop is hotter than the test room.
Judging efficiency when there is no label
Most visi coolers you will be offered may not carry a star label yet. You can still compare them on the things that drive energy use. Ask for each of the items below in writing and compare like with like.
- Measured energy use in kWh per 24 hours, and the test standard and ambient conditions behind it. A figure with no test conditions is not comparable.
- Glass: double or triple glazing, low-emissivity coating and whether the frame is heated. Better glass needs less anti-fog heating.
- Fans: electronically commutated (EC) fans use far less power than older shaded-pole motors and add less heat inside the cabinet.
- Lighting: LED strips instead of fluorescent tubes.
- Refrigerant: a low-GWP hydrocarbon such as R290 or R600a usually pairs with an efficient modern compressor.
- Door closers and gaskets: self-closing doors and magnetic gaskets that seal along the whole edge.
- Controller: features such as night or eco modes that lift the set point or dim lights when the shop is closed.
Why the wattage sticker is not enough
The rating plate shows input power in watts, which is roughly what the compressor draws while it is running. It does not tell you how many hours per day the compressor runs. A well-insulated cooler with a slightly bigger compressor can use less energy per day than a poorly built one with a small compressor that never stops. Energy per day, in kWh, is the number that turns into your electricity bill.
Your site can matter as much as the model
- Keep the cooler out of direct sun; sunlight on the glass loads the system heavily.
- Leave the rear and top clearance the manual asks for so the condenser can reject heat.
- Clean the condenser regularly, more often on dusty roads and in markets.
- Do not block the internal air grille with stock; poor airflow forces longer run times.
- Load drinks in advance of peak hours so the cooler is not pulling down warm stock at the busiest time.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a BEE star label compulsory on visi coolers?
- Not at the time of writing. BEE lists commercial beverage coolers under its voluntary scheme. Check the BEE star-label portal for the current status, because products can move from voluntary to mandatory.
- If a visi cooler has no label, is it less efficient?
- Not necessarily. Many efficient coolers are simply not registered under a voluntary scheme. Ask for the measured kWh per 24 hours and the test conditions, and compare the construction details listed in this guide.
- Does the label cover glass-door fridges used for food?
- BEE's beverage cooler schedule is aimed at coolers for packaged drinks. Display cabinets for food and open multidecks are different products, so do not assume the beverage cooler label applies to them.
