Climate Class Explained: A Quick FAQ for Commercial Refrigeration.

Commercial refrigeration is designed for professional kitchens, not domestic ones. Most commercial fridges and freezers will cope comfortably with the temperatures found in a typical kitchen. However, if you’ve come across the term Climate Class on a product page or specification sheet, you may wonder what it actually means.

Here’s a simple explanation.

What Does Climate Class Mean?

Climate Class tells you the highest room temperature and humidity a commercial fridge or freezer is designed to work in while still maintaining the correct internal temperature.

You’ll usually find it listed on the specification sheet as a Climate Class number together with a relative humidity figure (the amount of moisture in the air).

• Class 3: 25°C at 60% relative humidity – suitable for cooler, air-conditioned environments such as shop floors, cafés or display areas.
• Class 4: 30°C at 55% relative humidity – the standard rating for most commercial kitchens.
• Class 5: 40°C at 40% relative humidity – designed for hotter environments, such as kitchens with limited ventilation or equipment positioned close to ovens and cooking lines.

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.

For example, a Class 4 cabinet will work perfectly well in a cooler room. However, 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 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.

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. For example:

• Refrigerators: around -2°C to +8°C
• Freezers: around -18°C to -22°C

Climate Class tells you how warm the room can become while the cabinet continues to perform correctly.

Think of it this way:

• Temperature range = inside the cabinet
• Climate Class = outside the cabinet

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 extra capacity to cope with higher ambient temperatures if your kitchen becomes 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 is different. Ventilation, cooking equipment and the position of your refrigeration all affect the ambient temperature around the cabinet.

If you can’t find the Climate Class on the product page or specification sheet—or you’re unsure whether a particular unit is suitable for your kitchen—call us on 01379 641223. We’ll be happy to check the specification and help you choose the right equipment.