Want to know how much ice your commercial ice equipment can produce in 24 hours? One of the easiest ways to find out is to review the AHRI rating. AHRI is a type of metric ice machine manufacturers use to inform customers about their ice machine's expected performance.
There are other ways to determine the amount of ice a machine produces in a day. It may be listed in the model number. Both a Hoshizaki model number and a Manitowoc model number feature the maximum capacity of ice these models produce. You can also find this information in an ice machine spec sheet. However, the AHRI is a clear indicator of ice production, and we'll teach you how to read your ice maker's AHRI rating. We'll also dive into how you can increase ice machine production.
What are AHRI Ice Machine Ratings?
The AHRI (Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute) Product Performance Certification Program is a voluntary program, administered and governed by AHRI, which ensures that various types of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and water heating products perform according to manufacturers' published claims.
Products that are certified through the AHRI Product Performance Certification Program are continuously tested by an Independent Third-party Laboratory to determine the product's ability to conform to product rating standards or specifications.
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Easy Ice only offers AHRI-certified ice makers to our subscription customers. If you are shopping for a new ice machine, we suggest only considering AHRI-certified units (actually, we recommend subscribing to Easy Ice to save time and money while getting a leading ice maker).
Choosing the Right Ice Production
At Easy Ice, we evaluate the performance of ice equipment by looking at three primary metrics:
- AHRI/Maximum Production: The amount of ice produced by the machine under ideal conditions is defined by the AHRI as 70-degree ambient air and 50-degree incoming water temperatures.
- AHRI/Standard Production: The ice cube production by the machine under typical operating conditions – which are defined by the AHRI as 90-degree ambient air and 70-degree inlet water temperatures.
- Total Production Cost: The sum total of the electricity, water, and subscription fees associated with running the equipment provided by Easy Ice under Standard Production conditions. Electricity costs are calculated using a rate of $0.15 per KWH. Water costs are calculated using a rate of $1.75 per 1,000 gallons. This should be the 100% total cost of operating the equipment before tax.
Can I Use AHRI Ratings to Increase My Ice Machine's Performance?
The AHRI ratings are designed to help consumers see the relation between temperatures and their ice machine's performance. A commercial ice machine that operates in 70/50 air and water temperatures will produce more ice on average than ice machines that operate under 90/70 air and water temperatures.
Industrial ice makers in higher temperatures will also have to work harder to produce a batch of ice. That extra work means your automatic ice machine will use more energy and more water to operate, leading to higher utility bills.
If you run a workplace where maintaining 70/50-degree temperatures is difficult, like a hot kitchen or warehouse with no air conditioning, the AHRI ice machine rating can help you estimate how large of a machine you need to meet your business needs. Your work environment's temperature may necessitate a large ice maker to produce the amount of ice you need.
Suppose you have some control over your ice maker's environment. In that case, AHRI ratings can help you adjust your work environments conditions to increase your ice supply. There are a few factors to consider.
Cooling the Ice Maker Environment
Often, simply lowering the temperature on your thermostat can improve your ice machine's performance. Position the ice maker as far as possible from other heat-producing appliances or heat sources. A big fan that circulates air in the environment also helps.
Space Around the Ice Maker
Here at Easy Ice, we make sure to free up at least 1 foot of space on all sides of any ice machine we install – that includes the ceiling.
Ventilation can trap the hot air released by air cooled ice machines as they make a batch of ice. If the ice machine is closer than 1 foot from a wall or clutter of any kind, the heat around your ice machine may be much hotter than the rest of the room. Measuring the temperature directly around the ice machine can help you decide whether you should free up more space around the ice machine (which is never a bad idea).
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Water Temps
Finally, water temperatures are hard to maintain. Still, there are things you can do to help lower them if they are higher than AHRI ratings. First, run a thermometer under any faucet on the same water source as your ice machine. You'll want to run water over the thermometer for around 1-2 minutes. If the water measures above the safe zones suggested by the AHRI ratings, you should call a plumber. Plumbers can help to insulate water lines to keep water at a manageable temperature. This is especially important if you own a water cooled ice machine.
A Reliable Ice Machine Service Can Help Increase Your Ice Supply
At Easy Ice, we perform a thorough site survey before installing any of our ice machines under our subscription program. We work with business owners to find the best commercial ice maker for their business needs, guaranteeing their ice needs are met. If you already have an ice maker, secure the services of a trusted technician who can help diagnose issues if you notice lowered ice production. Easy Ice offers service in some regions, so contact us to find out if we service your area.
Under our all-inclusive ice machine subscriptions, we install that best commercial ice machines under conditions that guarantee their performance. We also include routine maintenance and cleaning to keep the machine performing according to the manufacturer's AHRI ratings.
If you need help sizing an ice machine in a challenging work environment, give us a call, and we'll work to find the perfect fit.