Sustainable Refrigeration

Helping to Reduce Global Emissions

KEEPING IT COOL AND PLANET FRIENDLY

At Henderson, our vision is to be the firm that builds a better world. We think about the long-term environmental impact of the building systems we help bring to life before they’re even built. On average, refrigeration systems contribute to 60% of a grocery store’s annual energy consumption. Unfortunately, most refrigerants currently used in commercial refrigeration systems and cooling equipment directly contribute to global warming. Our team is working to change that. With more 50+ years of experience in refrigeration design across retail, grocery stores, cold storage, and distribution centers, we’ve worked on every facility type and size. We understand how refrigerants align with corporate sustainability goals, and we constantly monitor the evolving regulatory landscape. We’re currently working with 7 of the 10 biggest retailers/grocers in the world to help with their climate pledge goals. From refrigeration drawdown initiatives to transitioning to low-impact refrigerant systems using CO2 and ammonia to refrigeration system commissioning (which can increase operational efficiency of a grocery store by 12%!), our experts on sustainable refrigerant design and refrigeration system installation and commissioning are available to help.

On average 60% of a supermarkets energy usage is directly attributed to the refrigeration system.

Switching to low-impact refrigerants like CO2 will help reduce emissions by 48 gigatons globally; equivalent to planting 806 billion trees.


The industry average leak rate for commercial refrigeration systems is 25% annually; equivalent to the emissions from 12 million homes’ electricity use for one year.

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

We’re an organization of innovative problem-solvers, and we love to share what we know. Scroll our refrigeration thought leadership library for technical expertise, design discoveries, educational takeaways, and more.

World Refrigeration Day 2026

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Each year, World Refrigeration Day provides an opportunity to recognize the critical role refrigeration plays in modern society. From preserving food and protecting public health to supporting global supply chains, refrigeration is an essential infrastructure that impacts nearly every aspect of our daily life.  At Henderson Engineers, we believe the future of refrigeration must balance performance, reliability, safety, and environmental responsibility. As our industry evolves, sustainability…

There’s Levels to It: Why Vertical Transportation Matters in Healthcare 

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Facility operators and owners often focus on clinical capabilities and patient care when planning for growth, but infrastructure tells a compelling story of long-term performance. Elevators and escalators, also known as Vertical Transportation (VHT) systems play a central role in how hospitals operate, respond and deliver care but are among the most misunderstood systems in the healthcare environment.  Facility managers who understand their systems, address risks early, and take a proactive approach to position…

Choosing the Right Facility Assessment for Your Healthcare Facility

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Healthcare facilities don’t stand still. Systems age, care models evolve, portfolios expand, and capital priorities shift. Whether you’re preparing for growth, acquiring a hospital or clinic, or trying to make smarter long-term decisions about existing assets, having a clear picture of facility performance matters.   You may be wondering: Do we have hidden infrastructure risks? Are our buildings keeping up with where our organization is headed? What will need…

How the EPA’s Final Technology Transitions Rule Shapes Refrigerant Selection

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s latest hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) regulatory actions create a more flexible near-term compliance path for commercial refrigeration, but they do not alter the industry’s long-term shift toward Lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants and expanded refrigerant management requirements. Refrigerant selection is no longer simply an equipment or first-cost decision. It is now a long-term operational, regulatory, and refrigerant supply decision.  The…

The Top 3 Design Trends in Airport Luxury Lounges

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Airports aren’t just a utilitarian pit stop in a traveler’s journey from point A to point B. They’re part of the experience. As leisure travel rises, so does the demand for an experiential airport. Leisure travelers often arrive earlier and stay longer, needing environments that create welcoming and memorable experiences.   The lounge experience is tiered with a push for more accessible lounges and a push for more indulgent…

Encompassing Campus: How to Manage a Portfolio of Buildings

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College campuses encompass a lot of needs. They need to deliver the best environments for learning, from adaptable classrooms to innovative laboratories. They need to deliver athletic facilities that nurture student athletes and top-of-the-line venues for them to achieve in. They house students, offices, and a wide variety of facilities all with their own unique…

Overcoming Design Challenges for Visit-Worthy Airport Lounges

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The airport is packed with travelers, as people maneuver their luggage around crowded seating. The 30-minute delayed flight from Atlanta turns the concourse into a track meet as people race to make their connecting flight. The intercoms ping overhead. Someone left their wallet at security. While chaos is sending travelers’ blood pressure up, you’re in…

How Relationship Building Leads to Better Outcomes: Henderson Retail Symposium 2026

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Being a good partner means being a good listener and creating space to share valuable insights. Henderson was proud to host the 2026 Henderson Retail Symposium at our headquarters in Lenexa, Kansas. This year’s symposium featured three sessions, with listening at the core. We took the opportunity to pull in some voices from beyond traditional…

Keep HVAC Running Smoothly During High Demand

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It’s getting colder. It’s getting hotter. With climate change, the extremes are becoming more extreme. Facilities will need to face these extremes head on to keep maintenance, budgets, and comfort stable. Over the past decade, the stretching of the polar vortex, which normally traps cold air in the Arctic region in a ribbon of high-altitude,…

1 gigaton is the equivalent to one billion metric tons,
or five million blue whales.

An average grocery store includes two miles of refrigerant piping. That is the length of 30 football fields.

 EPA Scientists estimate that phasing out all HFC’s (old refrigerants) will reduce global warming by nearly one degree Fahrenheit.

PROJECTS

We could tell you all day all the “cool” things we’re doing, but we’d rather let our projects speak for themselves. Browse our project gallery to discover what we’ve been working on.

PEOPLE

With retail and grocery design at the heart of company since 1970, we’re experts on refrigeration. From sustainable refrigeration design services to refrigeration commissioning and system updates, we’ve got you covered.

Brian Alessi

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Brian Alessi AIA, LEED AP BD+C, CPHC Sustainability Director Brian is a key member of our technical leadership team as we continue to align our offerings with what’s best for our planet. A 20-year veteran of sustainable design, he is responsible for leading our efforts to create building systems that are healthy, sustainable, and resilient….

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