Harris Farm Markets Refrigeration Upgrade – Willoughby NSW

Hussmann Australia partnered with Ultra Refrigeration to deliver a sustainable refrigeration upgrade at Harris Farm Markets’ Willoughby NSW store, replacing a legacy synthetic refrigerant system with Panasonic Transcritical CO₂ (R744) Outdoor Condensing Units. The solution significantly reduced environmental impact while improving energy efficiency, acoustic performance, and long‑term operational reliability.

The Challenge

Harris Farm Markets required a refrigeration system that could meet high performance demands while aligning with sustainability targets. The existing system was energy‑intensive, costly to maintain, and generated noise unsuitable for a mixed‑use residential environment. The retailer also needed a future‑ready solution compliant with Australia’s HFC phase‑down requirements, without disrupting store operations during installation.

The Solution

The project implemented a Panasonic TCO₂ OCU system, paired with Hussmann multideck, freezer, and semi‑vertical remote display cabinets. The compact system design eliminated the need for an external chiller, reduced component complexity, and enabled fast installation using locally available equipment.

Key Benefits Delivered

• Natural CO₂ refrigerant (GWP 1) supporting long‑term regulatory compliance
• Low noise operation (33 dB(A) @10m), ideal for urban retail settings
• Improved energy efficiency compared to legacy R404A systems
• Reduced maintenance and servicing costs due to simplified system architecture
• Fast installation timeframe, completed within one month

Outcome

The successful installation demonstrated how integrated system design and natural refrigerant technology can deliver measurable sustainability and operational benefits. Following the project’s performance, Harris Farm Markets is actively evaluating further CO₂ refrigeration deployments across future store developments.