2023 Freezer Challenge Winner: Dr. John Wares

Congratulations to Dr. John Wares, Professor in the Odum School of Ecology and Department of Genetics for being the UGA winner of the International Freezer Challenge, which ran from January to July 2023.  As the winner of the 2023 Challenge, Dr. Wares will be awarded a new high-efficiency ultra-low freezer (a value of $15K), courtesy of UGA Utility & Energy Management. 

The Freezer Challenge is a global competition designed to promote best practices in cold storage management. Freezer Challenge participants learned to adopt more sustainable practices, decrease energy consumption, optimize freezer use, increase security of vital samples, and extend the life of their laboratory equipment. 

1,900 labs from 170 different institutions, across 27 countries, participated in the Challenge this year, setting a new record! The combined efforts of all participants saved an estimated 20.6 million kWh; the equivalent of avoiding an estimated 14,000 metric tons CO2e.  

At UGA, a total of 25 research labs signed up for the challenge, with 14 submitting a final scoresheet. The 14 submitted scoresheets represent a total of 15 UGA labs which took action to result in a combined savings of 161 kWh/day! 

Dr. Wares’ success in the Freezer Challenge can be attributed to a series of thoughtful and strategic efforts, such as: 

• Temperature Optimization: Dr. Wares recognizes that not all samples require -80°C for preservation. By carefully assessing his lab's needs, he was able to move samples from colder to warmer temperature freezers. This simple, yet effective, adjustment significantly reduced energy consumption without compromising the quality of his research.
• Full Defrost of a Freezer: Taking proactive measures, Dr. Wares performed a thorough defrosting of a -20°C freezer. This seemingly routine maintenance task not only improved the freezer's efficiency but also prevented frost build-up, which can lead to increased energy consumption and reduced freezer lifespan.
• Upgrading to High-Efficiency Equipment: Dr. Wares retired an older, less efficient ultra-low temperature freezer and replaced it with a state-of-the-art, high-efficiency model. Operating at a temperature of -70°C, the new freezer ensured sample integrity while consuming significantly less energy.
• Regular Filter Maintenance: This seemingly minor act of maintenance has a profound impact on energy efficiency and prolongs the life of critical research equipment.

Dr. Wares has long been a champion for sustainability on campus, writing a Green Labs blog and engaging in sustainable research efforts long before the UGA Green Labs program existed. It is his unwavering commitment to both scientific excellence and sustainability that makes him a shining example for the scientific community and beyond. Congratulations, Dr. Wares! 

Congratulations to ALL UGA labs who participated in the Challenge—you are making a positive and profound difference at UGA, both in energy savings and in creating a more sustainable research enterprise.  Thank you for being champions for sustainability and sustainable research. We hope you will enter again next year for another chance to win.  

The 2024 International Freezer Challenge will begin on January 1, 2024, and the UGA Green Labs program will be ready to support our next champion.  2023 was UGA’s first time participating and we hope to increase our involvement in 2024 and build upon this year’s successes.  If your lab is interested in getting involved, please reach out to greenlab@uga.edu.