Commercial refrigeration is built for demanding professional kitchens, not domestic environments. Most commercial refrigerators and freezers will cope comfortably with the temperatures found in a typical kitchen. But if you’ve noticed the term Climate Class on a product page or specification sheet, you may be wondering what it actually means—and whether it matters. Here’s a straightforward explanation.

What Does Climate Class Mean?

Climate Class tells you the maximum ambient temperature a commercial fridge or freezer is designed to operate in while still maintaining its specified internal temperature. You’ll usually find it listed on the specification sheet as a Climate Class number together with a relative humidity (RH) figure.

Relative humidity simply refers to the amount of moisture in the surrounding air. Higher humidity makes refrigeration systems work harder because there’s more moisture to remove whenever the door is opened.

– Class 3: 25°C at 60% relative humidity. Suitable for cooler, air-conditioned environments such as cafés, delicatessens, shop floors and display areas.
– – Class 4: 30°C at 55% relative humidity. This is the standard rating for many commercial refrigerators and freezers designed for typical professional kitchens. Anglia Catering Equipment stocks a wide range of Class 4 cabinets to suit cafés, restaurants, pubs and catering establishments.

– Class 5: 40°C at 40% relative humidity. Designed for demanding commercial kitchens where ambient temperatures remain high for long periods, such as busy cooking lines or kitchens with limited ventilation. Examples include the Tefcold CK7410 gastronorm counter fridge and the Atosa YPF9042GR refrigeration table.

Some manufacturers exceed the minimum Climate Class requirements. Certain Foster EcoPro G3 models, for example, are tested to operate efficiently in ambient temperatures up to 43°C. It’s always worth checking the manufacturer’s specification rather than assuming every Class 5 cabinet performs to exactly the same level.

Is a Higher Climate Class Better?

Not necessarily. A higher Climate Class doesn’t make a fridge or freezer better. It simply means it’s designed to operate in a hotter environment. A Class 4 cabinet will work perfectly well in a cooler room.

For example, a refrigerator positioned next to a combi oven, chargrill or cooking range will experience a much higher ambient temperature than the same cabinet located in an air-conditioned café or front-of-house display area.

If you install a Class 3 cabinet in an environment that regularly reaches 40°C, it may struggle to maintain its internal temperature.

When that happens, the compressor has to work much harder. Over time, this increases energy consumption, places extra strain on the refrigeration system, increases wear on components and can shorten the unit’s working life. More importantly, food may not remain at the correct storage temperature. Choosing the right Climate Class helps protect both your equipment and the food stored inside it.

Does Climate Class Affect Energy Consumption?

Yes. Choosing the correct Climate Class can improve efficiency. A refrigerator operating within its designed ambient conditions won’t need to work as hard to maintain temperature.

Conversely, installing a cabinet in temperatures beyond its Climate Class can increase energy consumption, reduce cooling performance and place unnecessary strain on the refrigeration system.

Is Climate Class the Same as the Temperature Range?

No. They describe two completely different things.

The temperature range tells you how cold the cabinet keeps its contents. Refrigerators typically operate between around -2°C and +8°C, while freezers generally maintain temperatures between approximately -18°C and -22°C.

Climate Class, on the other hand, tells you how warm the surrounding environment can become while the cabinet continues to perform correctly.

Think of it this way: the temperature range describes what’s happening inside the cabinet, while Climate Class describes the conditions outside it.

Can I Buy a Higher Climate Class Than I Need?

Yes. There’s no problem using a Class 5 cabinet in a Class 4 kitchen. It simply gives you additional capacity to cope with higher ambient temperatures should your kitchen become particularly warm.

The important thing is not to choose a Climate Class that’s too low for the environment where the cabinet will operate.

Still Not Sure What You Need?

Every commercial kitchen has different ambient temperatures depending on ventilation, cooking equipment, kitchen layout and the position of the refrigerator or freezer.

Adequate airflow around the cabinet is equally important. Even a Class 5 refrigerator can struggle if ventilation openings are blocked or the condenser cannot dissipate heat effectively.

Choosing the correct Climate Class helps ensure reliable performance, lower running costs and a longer working life.

If you can’t find the Climate Class on a product page or specification sheet, or you’re unsure which cabinet is best suited to your kitchen, give our experienced team a call on 01379 641223. We’ll be happy to check the specification and help you choose the right equipment.

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