Expert refrigeration system installation

RSI handles a wide variety of projects for commercial and industrial facilities and stores.

Whether it is a new system or a remodel project, proper installation is critical to an efficient, effective refrigeration or HVAC system. Even the best equipment cannot perform to specifications unless it is installed by a technically experienced team with proven project management experience and robust processes. Our technical expertise and project management processes ensure that every system is constructed on time, per specifications, and is operating at peak performance from the start.

Our Installation Service Offerings include:

New Construction of Refrigeration Systems

Remodels of Refrigeration Systems

EMS Systems Installations - New and Remodels

Natural Refrigerants

Refrigerant Conversions

Door Retrofits

Project Management

NEW CONSTRUCTION

The RSI Construction Department is able to take on even the most complicated projects. Our team has years of experience with a number of different projects; from small and large supermarkets to industrial cold storage and food processing facilities.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Whether it is a new store, remodel, or construction, project management is critical to an efficient, effective refrigeration system. Even the best equipment won’t perform to specifications unless it is installed by a technically experienced team with proven project management experience and processes.

Our technical expertise and project management processes ensure that every system is constructed on time, per specifications, and is operating at peak performance from the start.

REMODELS

RSI is a one stop shop for all of your remodel needs. We offer the best prices on the best equipment and can provide installation, start up, and follow up support for all remodels.

DOOR RETROFITS

A door retrofit program for your multi-deck refrigerated cases and existing older case doors will help lower energy costs, improve food safety & product integrity, reduce shrinkage, and enhance customer comfort. RSI can be your partner in helping you achieve significant energy savings while enhancing the shopping experience of your customers with a door retrofit program.

The RSI Door Retrofit Program involves enclosing your multi-deck cases with retrofit glass doors and replacing older doors with current technology doors. As a full-service refrigeration company focused on providing solutions that boost your bottom-line, we perform our complete turnkey Door Retrofit Program on virtually any major case manufactures’ equipment and using most major door manufacturers’ products.

EMS

At RSI, we design and install all makes of energy management and computer control systems for refrigeration systems. Our engineering and design services for EMS include component configuration, wiring requirements, sensor mounting locations, and optimization of existing systems.

Our engineering team can provide a complete layout of all new and remodel EMS systems.

Contact RSI let us design and install a complete EMS and control package that will meet all of your refrigeration and building control demands.

NATURAL REFRIGERANTS

The world of refrigeration and HVAC is changing as the more “traditional” HCFC refrigerants continue to be aggressively phased out by EPA regulations and by a focus on reduced carbon footprints and a “greener” society. Refrigeration & HVAC users have been forced to search for adequate replacements for their systems that meet new environmentally friendly standards. The use of natural refrigerants like CO2, propane, and ammonia is growing in the United States. While these refrigerants have been used in industrial applications for years and are prevalent throughout Europe and other countries, they are new to commercial applications in America.

Let RSI’s experienced team of engineers help you determine the best natural refrigerant options for your site and then work with you to design a system that provides the performance you need and the reduced carbon footprint that we all desire. As with all of our work, each natural refrigerant system is designed to minimize your Total Cost of Ownership while providing optimal performance.

REFRIGERANT CONVERSIONS

Environmental concerns, most notably the destruction of the earth’s ozone layer and Global Climate Change, present a serious challenge to owners of refrigeration and HVAC systems with HCFC and HFC refrigerants. As the HCFC production phase down completes its cycle in 2020, grocery retailers and facility managers now face restrictions on high GWP HFC refrigerants. Having an understanding of the rules and regulations that are in place, as well as a plan designed specifically for your facilities is our best advice in confronting these very important issues.

RSI is poised to provide a complete portfolio of products focused on the most viable refrigerant alternatives for your facility. We are ready to assist in the formulation of your conversion/refrigerant transformation strategy. Our refrigerant conversion experts are ready to assist in the design, planning and execution of your plan.

Some Key items to keep in mind regarding refrigerant regulations and actions that may affect future directions:

HCFC Phase out:

  • The Montreal Protocol ODS/HCFC phase out is on track, production stops January 1, 2020 (possibly sooner for some more obscure HCFC’s). Each year up to the end of 2019, a reduction in production allocations takes effect.
  • Common refrigerants affected by the HCFC phase out include R22, R408A, R409A, R402A and R401A. Supplies continue to be stressed, prices have been on a steep incline over the last couple of years.
  • Conversion replacement gas options have been a moving target, some are now not allowed due to their high GWP ratings (R404A, R507, R422D). Lower GWP alternatives such as R448A are leading the transition from HCFC’s and some HFC’s. This refrigerant has the lowest GWP rating of most replacements for R22 and R404A/R507, and functions similarly.
  • Conversion execution has become a familiar activity, as many stores and system types have been encountered, and processes have been refined.

 

Recent EPA Actions:

  • Authority within SNAP (Strategic New Alternatives Policy) has been broadened to include alternatives to HCFC’s. These include HFC/HFO substitute refrigerants. SNAP has the authority to “de-SNAP” certain refrigerants that were once considered viable alternatives, but now do not pass the “Low GWP” test.
  • EPA annual leak rate allowances have changed, and are effective 1-1-19. The following changes apply:
    • For Industrial Process Refrigeration, 30%, down from 35%
    • For Commercial Refrigeration, 20%, down from 35%
    • Comfort Cooling, 10% down from 15%
  • Periodic leak inspections are now the rule, unless continuously monitored by an automatic leak detection system.
  • Leak repair verification tests are now the rule, required after a system has returned to normal operating conditions after the leak is repaired. Documentation is required for this event.
  • Some commonly used refrigerants such as R404A, R407A and R507 have been deemed un-acceptable for use in new installations for retail food refrigeration effective 2021. Similar refrigerant restrictions for cold storage refrigeration have also been included, taking effect in 2023.
  • Use of common refrigerants such as R404A and R507 is prohibited for remodel or retrofit applications.

 

Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol:

  • Provides for a phasedown process for HFC refrigerants as the use and proliferation of these substitutes are directly tied to the ODS phase out and have GWP characteristics many times higher than CO2.
  • The amendment establishes a baseline, and pre-determined steps for reduction in production allocations.
  • It is not a phase-out, but a mechanism to reduce production levels and the associated threat to the environment over time. The first reduction in production allocation occurs in 2024, with a baseline established for 2020-2022 average HFC consumption.

 

Emergence of Natural Refrigerants as an Alternative Solution

Over the last 10 years, the U.S. Commercial refrigeration industry has advanced the use of natural refrigerants for grocery retailers and other related installations. As the technology has evolved, retailers have enjoyed the benefits of having low or no GWP refrigerants in their systems, and have gathered significant data that points to these as being viable alternatives for new installations, and soon, retrofits. The natural refrigerants most widely used include Ammonia, CO2 and Propane. Each has its own unique design requirements. RSI can provide an objective view of how these options may fit into your strategy.

When choosing a partner to address your refrigerant conversion needs, you have options. If your goals include the development of a strategy that minimizes risk, keeps in step with the maze of regulations that one must decipher, ensures that your conversions are being executed in an efficient, consistent and professional manner, and leaves you with an efficiently engineered operating system, RSI is your best option!