ULT Freezer Energy Efficiency Rebates

Applications are currently closed. For questions about the rebate please contact Justis Allard-Hagan at justis@ualberta.ca

Ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers are some of the highest energy users in labs on campus, next to fume hoods and autoclaves. They can use the same amount of energy in a year as a North American household.

In order to help the University save energy, emissions, and costs, Energy & Climate Action (E&CA) is offering a rebate to labs to purchase more energy efficient ULT units.

Applying for a rebate

You may apply for a rebate for a newly purchased, energy efficient ULT freezer unit (see below for eligibility and rebate options). Larger rebates are available for replacing older, less energy efficient units. Successful recipients will be notified by June 30, 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.

Rebate eligibility

• Only University of Alberta labs may apply, and any freezers being replaced or purchased must be the property of the University of Alberta.
• New ULT freezers must be ENERGY STAR certified, or meet or exceed the ENERGY STAR guidelines. For units:
  • Purchased before December 31, 2025:
    • 0.55 kWh/day/ft³
  • Purchased after December 31, 2025:
    • For freezers <20 ft³: 0.46 kWh/day/ft³*
    • For freezers ≥20 ft³: 0.35 kWh/day/ft³*
• Units must have been purchased on or after January 1, 2025.
• Rebates can only be made to the same speedcode which was used to purchase the unit.

*Tested at -75°C

Please note:

• • Funds are limited. E&CA will evaluate all applications using criteria including, but not limited to, receipt of all required documents and anticipated energy savings. Among equal applications, rebates will be awarded according to the order in which the application was received.
  • A rebate is not guaranteed until you have received an approval letter from E&CA.

Rebate options

1. $2,000 to buy a new, energy efficient ULT.
   If you are not retiring an old ULT, you are eligible for a smaller rebate.
2. $4,000 to replace an old ULT with a new, energy efficient ULT.
   ULT freezers purchased in 2012 or earlier are eligible for the replacement rebate.
3. $8,000 to replace three old ULTs with two new, energy efficient ULTs.

Approved ULT Freezer Models

The following energy efficient ULT freezers are available through the university's preferred supplier agreement with Fisher Scientific:

• ThermoFisher TSX models (TSX40086, or equivalent -500, -600, -700 models)

There are other ENERGY STAR Certified ULT freezers available through suppliers in Canada that will be considered for the program as well. Visit the ENERGY STAR website for more information. Please note that the ENERGY STAR criteria has recently increased, and some ULT freezer models which were previously eligible for the rebate may no longer be eligible.

If you have your eye on another model, we may require additional information to determine your rebate eligibility. Freezers must be ENERGY STAR certified or meet the ENERGY STAR guidelines (see above).