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한국어 LED Lights For Walk In Coolers & Freezers
In walk-in coolers and freezers lighting where the lowest temperature of -40°C, using professional cold-rated high bay and vapor tight LED lights can save energy 70% and require no maintenance.
Walk In Cooler & Freezer Lighting Environment
The environment at walk in coolers and freezers is far more complex than typical warehouse lighting. The structures vary greatly in size and temperature conditions. Some cold storage rooms have high ceilings, requiring lights with strong output to cover wider area; others, such as small coolrooms with limited ceiling height, need softer, more even lighting to avoid glare.
Their ambient temperature range also varies significantly: some coolers areas maintain temperature between 0°C and -20°C, while deep-freezing areas can drop to -30°C or even -40°C. In such low-temperature, high-humidity and corrosive environments, ordinary LED lights are highly susceptible to problems. These problems range from flickering or dim light, and drastically shortened lifespan; to more serious issues like condensation intrusion, posing safety hazards.
- Drivers may fail to start properly, and capacitors may age or break down instantaneously at low temperatures.
- Frost or condensation may form on the lampshade surface, leading to decreased luminous efficiency and short circuits.
- Maintenance is difficult; replacing fixtures requires shutdown and defrosting, affecting cold storage stability.
- Fixtures may operate at high power continuously due to incompatibility with the low-temperature environment, resulting in long-term energy waste.
Therefore, lighting system is not just providing brightness that suits the environment, but also carefully designed that balances low-temperature adaptability, energy efficiency, and reliability. Learn details why special lighting is needed in walk-in coolers.
LEDRHYTHM LED Lighting Fixtures
LEDRHYTHM walk in cooler and freezer LED Lights can withstand ambient temperatures of -40°C. This is not just empty talk; it is based on long-term testing of all fixtures in -40°C freezer. During testing, the lights automatically switch on and off, realistically replicating the frequent start-stop operation within walk-in cooler. The entire process of the lights starting, running, and turning off at extremely low temperatures is monitored in real-time by system.
After more than 4,000 hours of continuous low-temperature testing, all LED lights maintained stable brightness and luminous efficacy, with no flickering, frost, or structural and electrical malfunctions. Learn more about this tested high bay LED.
For large cold storage and central freezing centers, we recommend our high bay LED lights, which can withstand ambient temperatures from -40℃ to 45℃, meeting the most demanding low-temperature lighting requirements. They offer uniform beam distribution and high brightness, with options power from 60W to 300W.
For small to medium-sized coolers and walk-in freezers, our vapor tight linear LED lights are ideal choice, as they also withstand temperatures down to -40°C. Their compact design and waterproof connection allow for flexible placement on ceilings or walls, providing very even and soft light. The fully sealed design offers IP66/IP69K waterproof rating and IK10.
| Feature | High-bay Cooler / Freezer Light | Vapor tight Linear LED Light |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Applications | Large cold rooms, warehouses, coolers centers | Small to medium walk-in freezer, food cabinets |
| Power Range | 60W – 300W | 10W – 150W |
| Light Distribution | Multiple beam angles, high brightness | Wide angles, soft, even, no glare |
| Design | Rugged housing, low-temp driver | IP69K, vapor-tight, linear body |
| Mounting | Suspended or bracket | Surface or wall mount |
LEDRHYTHM Walk In Cooler LED Lights Advantages
- Low temperature stability: Selected low-temperature dedicated LED chips and cold-resistant driver power can maintain high brightness output even in -40°C environment, with no flicker and no delayed start-up.
- Excellent light quality: High-transmittance anti-glare lens ensures uniform light distribution and low glare throughout the entire cooler space. Color rendering index (CRI) higher than 80, providing more realistic visibility of food and pharmaceuticals.
- Moisture-proof and condensation-proof: The entire fixture adopts fully sealed structure and corrosion-resistant materials, IP66/IP69K, preventing condensation infiltration and corrosion.
- Extreme energy saving: Compared to traditional fluorescent or metal halide lamps, energy consumption is reduced by up to 70%, significantly lowering overall operating costs.
- Instant illumination: Reaches 100% brightness immediately upon power-on, with no delay. Unaffected by low temperatures.
- Maintenance-free: Thanks to the long lifespan of LEDs and our high protection performance, no maintenance or bulb/ballast replacement is required for many years. This significantly reduces labor and maintenance costs.
- Emergency function: Supports built-in emergency power or external emergency modules. Automatic switching to emergency lighting in case of power failure in the walk-in cooler or freezer, it is crucial for personnel safety.
- Sensing and dimming: Equipped with motion sensor, it offers convenience and energy efficiency, making it ideal for large walk-in coolers where frequent switching is inconvenient. 0-10V dimming further saves energy and extends LED lights life.
High-bay LED lights with breather allow for pressure balance between the inside and outside air, preventing condensation:
Suitable Wattage And Layout
Power is usually determined by the ceiling height. Most small freezers have ceiling height of 7-10 feet, so we recommended to use 20W-40W vapor tight LED and install one every 7-10 feet. For medium-height cold storage (10-16 feet), 50W-80W LED lights are recommended, installed every 10-16 feet. For large commercial walk-in coolers with heights exceeding 20 feet, 100-200W high-bay lights are recommended for high-level illumination and high visibility.
The layout of freezer and cooler lighting depends on the size type. For aisle-type type, single row can be arranged along the central axis; For large-area warehouse-type, grid or matrix lighting layout should be used. If linear vapor tight lights are used, they are usually arranged linearly, installed parallel to ceiling or above shelves to form continuous and uniform light. High-bay cooler LED lights are mostly used in high ceilings or large cool rooms; we recommended to install them centrally and project downwards. Anti-glare covers or extended hanging rods can be selected to prevent light obstruction.
Recommended Color Temperature
LEDRHYTHM offers LED light fixtures ranging from 3000K to 6500K, but we still recommend using color temperature of 5000K in walk-in coolers and freezers lighting. Compared to other color temperatures, it typically has the highest luminous efficiency and is the best choice for balancing functionality and safety. Furthermore, below 4000K should be avoided, as their warm yellow light can feel very oppressive in enclosed cool rooms environments and exacerbate eye strain. Also avoid CCT above 6000K, as while bright, the light is excessively glaring. Learn more about different color temperatures.
- Visual Clarity: 5000K light closely resembles natural sunlight, providing better contrast and clarity, allowing operators to clearly identify text and details on goods. The brighter light also enhances reflectivity.
- Comfort: Low temperatures can easily lead to fatigue and feelings of oppression, while 5000K creates psychologically “clean and refreshing” feeling, helping to maintain focus.
- Harmonious Atmosphere: Cool white light of 5000K blends naturally the low temperature of cold storage, resulting in more harmonious and professional overall look, without any yellowish tint that could cause discomfort.
- High Color Rendering: 5000K LED lights are generally equipped with high color rendering chips, with color rendering index exceeding 80, making the colors of fruits, vegetables, and meats appear on coolers and freezers more natural and realistic.
Required Foot Candles
Low temperatures reduce visual sensitivity, making misjudgments or eye strain more likely in low-light conditions. Appropriate foot-candle(illumination) not only improves brightness and work efficiency but also avoids excessive glare and reduces energy consumption. Walk-in coolers and freezers are typically divided into multiple storage zones, and we recommend different foot-candle standards for each zone.
- Frozen storage: Lower temperatures, used for long-term storage. 10–20 foot-candle is sufficient.
- Regular cooler area: Primarily for refrigeration, less personnel activity. 20–30 fc is sufficient for safe inspection and retrieval.
- Processing and sorting area: Frequent operations, requiring high visibility and efficiency; 30–50 ft is recommended.
LEDRHYTHM also provides professional lighting simulation services, tailoring reasonable illuminance and layout solutions for different types of cool rooms.
| Area | Recommended Foot-Candles | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Freezer Storage (-18°C to -40°C) | 10–20 fc | Long-term frozen goods storage, periodic inspection |
| Refrigerated Storage (0°C to -10°C) | 20–30 fc | General cold storage, daily stock movement |
| Processing & Sorting Area | 30–50 fc | Frequent manual operation, packaging and labeling |
| Special Cold Zone | 30–40 fc | Pharmaceutical, seafood or precision storage areas |
What is the lighting intensity requirement inside walk-in cooler?
Insufficient lighting intensity in walk-in cooler can lead to reduced clarity and safety hazards, while excessive lighting increases energy consumption and the risk of glare. General refrigerated areas or shelves, recommended to maintain 10-30fc; Handling, sorting, or packaging areas, recommended 30-50 fc.
Do you have 5ft LED walk-in cooler lights?
Yes, we offer 5-foot (1.5-meter) long LED vapor tight lights, the preferred choice for most walk-in coolers or aisles. 5-foot length minimizes the number of fixtures required while maintaining flexibility. They offer excellent waterproof (IP69K), dustproof, and corrosion-resistant properties, providing stable and even illumination in environments ranging from -40°C to +50°C. In addition, we also offer 2ft, 3ft, and 4ft lengths, providing flexible and convenient installation to meet the size and layout requirements of different areas.
Does the LED walk-in freezer lights provide emergency lighting functionality?
Of course, we fully understand the importance of walk-in freezer emergency lighting. Due to the unique nature of this low-temperature environment, unexpected situations may arise at any time. Our high-bay and vapor tight LED lights are available with optional emergency power supplies, providing up to 90 minutes of emergency lighting in the event of a power outage, giving staff ample time to complete their tasks and evacuate.
What are the installation methods for LED lights in walk-in cooler?
- Surface Mount: The most common method, where the light fixture is directly fixed to ceiling surface. Our vapor tight LED lights and round high bay lights can both be installed in this way.
- Suspended Mount: When the walk in cooler and freezer has higher ceiling, can be suspended using chains or steel cables. This compensates for the high ceiling and optimizes the uniformity of light.
- Wall Mount: The light fixture is fixed to wall via brackets or directly, providing side lighting for shelves and effectively eliminating shadows on lower shelves. It takes up no overhead space and is ideal for areas with low ceilings or top dense items.
What is the lowest temperature that LED lights can withstand?
We professionally designed cold-resistant LED lights can withstand ambient temperatures as low as -40℃. This performance is not a theoretical value, but rather the result of real-world testing in our freezer. No failures or cracks were observed in the driver, power cord, seals, or lens materials.
What are the basic lighting requirements for walk-in cooler?
Due to the special environmental conditions of coolers and freezers, lighting must not only provide illumination, but also meet three major standards: stability, safety, and efficiency. IP65–IP69K moisture and water resistance and IK08 and above impact resistance provide better protection for luminaires; the driver power supply and materials need to have excellent low temperature resistance; and high luminous efficiency is maintained even under high color rendering light and high illuminance conditions, which is the basis for energy saving. In addition, it is necessary to choose reliable lighting manufacturer that meets multiple certifications.
Can be equipped with motion sensor?
Yes, and we highly recommend using motion sensors in large walk-in refrigerators. The lights illuminate immediately when someone is detected and turn off when they leave. This automatic control eliminates the need to frequently turn the lights on and off. This not only improves convenience but also effectively reduces energy consumption and maintenance costs.
Walk in freezer LED lights vs regular LED lights
| Feature | Walk-in Freezer LED Lights | Regular LED Lights |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Temperature | Work reliably down to -40°C | Usually only -20°C and above |
| Driver Design | Low-temp cold-start driver | Standard driver may fail in cold |
| Protection Rating | IP65–IP69K vapor-tight | IP20–IP44 for dry indoor use |
| Materials | Cold-resistant PC and silicone | Standard plastics, may crack |
| Condensation Resistance | Sealed to prevent frost and fog | No anti-fog or sealing design |
| Sensor Compatibility | Cold-rated PIR or microwave sensor | Sensor may not work in freezing |
| Lifespan & Reliability | Tested 10,000+ hrs in freezer | Tested only at room temperature |
| Typical Use | Cold storage, freezer rooms, cold chain | Offices, retail, normal indoor spaces |