Icemaker

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An icemaker is a device often found inside a freezer that is used to make ice. Ice machine usually refers to a standalone appliance that is built for making large quantities of ice. Commercial ice cube makers improve the quality of ice by using moving water. Basically the faster the water moves the better the ice quality. Air and undissolved solids will be washed away to such an extent that in horizontal evaporator machines the water has 98% of the solids removed resulting in very hard virtually pure ice. In vertical evaporators the ice is softer, more so if there are actual individual cube cells.

[edit] Energy Efficiency

According to the Consortium for Energy Efficiency, "commercial ice-makers represent 11 percent of all commercial refrigeration energy use."^[1] As companies strive to reduce costs and environmental impact, ice machine manufacturers have responded with more energy efficient products. For every 100 pounds of ice, an ice machine requires approximately 12 gallons of water, but the amount of water used to clean the system varies^[2]. The typical cube machines use between 6 and 12 gallons of water while Follett Ice produces an ice machine that uses approximately 2 gallons^[3].

An ice maker's energy efficiency can be judged by it's Energy Star rating. The Energy Star system is an international rating system designed to help reduce energy use. According to the Energy Star, "Commercial ice machines that have earned the ENGERGY STAR are on average 15 percent more energy-efficient and 10 percent more water-efficient than standard models." ^[4] The Energy Star estimates that business can save up to $100 per year on utility costs and save over 2700 gallers of water per year.

The Consortium for Energy Efficiency also certifies the energy efficiency of ice machines using a three tier system. An ice machine rated with the Consortium's tier 2 designation is comparable to the Energy Star rating.