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ICFD valve stations deliver major energy and cost savings in frozen storage

  • Friday, 15 May 2026
Cutting energy use and costs while boosting frozen storage reliability

An international retailer upgraded the defrost drain line at its frozen distribution center in Ploiești, Romania with five Danfoss ICFD valve stations. The site cut operating costs by more than €69,000 in 2025 and achieved energy savings of 466 MWh versus 2023 and 385 MWh versus 2024, while improving reliability and simplifying service. 

Read the full case story
ICFD valve stations deliver major energy and cost savings in frozen storage

Energy efficiency directly affects sustainability and profitability. The retailer’s Ploiești hub serves hundreds of outlets and depends on stable, precise freezer performance. Guided by Pro Refrigeration Team, the operator set out to reduce energy consumption and streamline maintenance without compromising temperature control or uptime. 

The problem: Defrost drain line inefficiency drove energy waste and downtime

 A detailed assessment revealed hidden energy losses in the defrost process. The evaporator defrost drain line relied on multiple separate components, including individual valves, fittings, and strainers. This complexity extended defrost cycles, increased energy use, and raised the risk of ice buildup and unplanned downtime. Servicing was time consuming and costly because technicians had to work across many parts and connections.  

The facility needed to: 

  • Reduce energy consumption during defrost while preserving performance 
  • Simplify servicing and lower maintenance costs 
  • Achieve a fast and measurable return on investment

The solution: ICFD valve stations optimize defrost performance

Pro Refrigeration Team implemented five Danfoss ICFD valve stations in the evaporator defrost drain line. Each compact unit integrates multiple functions in one housing, including stop valves, a solenoid valve, and a defrost drain module that is optimized for defrost applications. The integrated approach replaced numerous components and connections with a streamlined, serviceable assembly that is engineered for efficient defrost control. 

What changed for the site: 

  • The system now only uses energy when needed, completes defrost cycles efficiently, and helps prevent ice formation.
  • Fewer components and connections meant that installation was faster, and potential leak points and pressure losses were reduced.
  • Improved access allows quicker service and maintenance, which helps minimize downtime.
  • Stabilized defrost behavior supports steady temperatures and reliable frozen storage operations.

From our experience, even seemingly small components can have a big impact on system performance. By addressing the drain line inefficiency, we saw a clear opportunity to help our client achieve significant energy savings while improving operational stability, and Danfoss was the perfect match for this solution, offering the proven technology and innovation needed to make it happen.

Eugeniu Nafornița
Eugeniu Nafornița
Service Manager, Pro Refrigeration Team

The outcome: Verified energy and cost savings

The upgrade delivered immediate, measurable results across 2025: 

  • Energy savings: 466 MWh versus 2023 and 385 MWh versus 2024 
  • Cost savings: More than €69,000 in reduced energy costs 
  • Reliability: Stabilized defrost performance, reduced downtime, and less complex maintenance 

These results demonstrate how a targeted improvement in the defrost drain line can unlock significant savings and reliability in large frozen storage operations. The project confirms why integrated ICFD technology is an effective lever for energy efficiency in industrial refrigeration. 

Learn more about ICFD

FAQ

What is an ICFD valve station and where is it used? 

An ICFD valve station is a compact, integrated assembly designed for defrost applications in industrial refrigeration. It combines several functions in one housing, including stop valves, a solenoid valve, and a defrost drain module. It is typically installed in the evaporator defrost drain line to optimize defrost cycles and simplify service. 

How do ICFD valve stations reduce energy use in frozen storage? 

They enable precise defrost control, so energy is applied only when needed. By streamlining the drain line and reducing restrictions and leak points, the system completes defrost cycles efficiently, shortens run time, and prevents ice buildup that can degrade performance. 

What savings did this project achieve?

At the Ploiești distribution center, five ICFD valve stations delivered energy savings of 466 MWh versus 2023 and 385 MWh versus 2024, with more than €69,000 in cost reductions in 2025 on a €20,000 investment.

Will installing ICFD valve stations disrupt operations?

The integrated design reduces installation complexity and connections, which helps minimize disruption. In this case, the upgrade was completed efficiently with improved service access for ongoing maintenance. 

Are ICFD valve stations compatible with common industrial refrigeration systems? 

Yes. ICFD stations are designed for defrost applications in industrial refrigeration and integrate with standard evaporator and drain line configurations. Your contractor or Danfoss representative can advise on sizing and configuration for your system. 

How do ICFD valve stations simplify maintenance? 

With multiple functions in one housing and better service access, technicians can inspect and maintain fewer components. This reduces time on site and helps prevent unplanned downtime.

What is the typical payback period? 

Payback depends on energy prices, operating hours, and baseline system performance. In this case, the site achieved a rapid return on a €20,000 investment due to verified energy savings and reduced service complexity.

Why choose Danfoss for defrost optimization?

Danfoss combines proven industrial refrigeration expertise with integrated valve technology that is engineered for reliability, serviceability, and measurable performance gains. That combination helps sites capture real savings and stability.