The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has presented Chicago-based manufacturer Howe Corporation with a Sustained Excellence Award as a part of the ENERGY STAR program’s Partner of the Year awards.

For the third year in a row, Howe Corporation, a manufacturer of commercial CO2 (R744) ice-making equipment, was awarded Partner of the Year award in the Product Design and Manufacturers sector.

The EPA commended Howe for having “demonstrated unwavering commitment to the ENERGY STAR program through wide-ranging engagement efforts, extensive marketing, and the production of energy-efficient ice makers with low global warming potential refrigerant options.”

“ENERGY STAR award-winning partners from across the country demonstrate that delivering real climate solutions makes good business sense and strengthens our economy,” the EPA added.

Among this year’s 210 winners, more than 150 organizations have been recognized by ENERGY STAR for their year-on-year commitment to energy efficiency, with the EPA noting that winning organizations’ sustained commitments “are essential to meeting the challenge of climate change and enabling a transition to a clean energy economy.”

“ENERGY STAR award-winning partners from across the country demonstrate that delivering real climate solutions makes good business sense and strengthens our economy.”

The U.S. EPA

Howe Corporations’ key accomplishments in 2021 include:

  • Targeted outreach to industry leaders regarding test-standard development and energy-efficiency comparisons between self-contained and rack-connected ice machines.
  • Training a high percentage of staff across multiple areas of expertise on the ENERGY STAR program.
  • Promoting the ENERGY STAR message via social media, at trade shows and on its website, including a dedicated web page listing all its ENERGY STAR-certified models.

Howe Corporation has been manufacturing ice-making equipment using natural refrigerants since 1912. In addition to producing equipment using ammonia/NH3 (R717), Howe was the first ice-machine manufacturer to design ice flakers to operate with secondary, as well as sub and transcritical CO2 systems. In November 2020, it announced a new CO2 recirculated ice system that can produce up to 1,000lbs (454kg) of flaked ice daily.


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