World Refrigeration Day

Feeling a little chilly? Or wishing that things were a bit chillier on a hot summer day? Well, World Refrigeration Day serves as a means of raising awareness and understanding of the significant role that the industry and its technology play in modern life and society. 

So get ready to cool off and chill out because World Refrigeration Day is here!

History of World Refrigeration Day

When considering World Refrigeration Day, the term ‘refrigeration’ is used in its widest sense, considered to be the process of achieving and maintaining a required temperature below that of its surroundings.

Of course, when many people think of refrigeration, their minds automatically go to their own kitchens at home – where a “refrigerator” likely plays a prominent role in everyday life. And certainly one important example of refrigeration is the preservation and distribution of perishable food products.

But refrigeration systems are also used on a much wider and broader basis. Specifically, they are extensively used for providing thermal comfort to human beings by means of air-conditioning. Similarly, heat-pumps are devices that take heat from one source and move it to another location, which is another way that refrigeration technology is used in the modern world.

World Refrigeration Day was founded by Stephen Gill, a past President of the Institute of Refrigeration and it was started in conjunction with the World Refrigeration Secretariat. The celebration was chosen for this day as a nod to the birth day of Lord Kelvin, on June 26, 1824. Also known as William Thomson, Scotsman Kelvin was renowned for inventing an international system of measuring absolute temperature, which is obviously a vital part of refrigeration.

World Refrigeration Day has been established by agreement between industry trade associations and professional membership bodies from around the world, all of whom have an interest in raising awareness for and paying honor to the work of refrigeration.

In 2019 the UN Environment’s OzonAction Programme announced they would be partnering with World Refrigeration Day to promote awareness of the importance of refrigeration. Today, the day is celebrated in many countries throughout the world, as well as online, with many interesting events, activities and more!

How to Celebrate World Refrigeration Day

World Refrigeration Day brings a few clever ideas along for celebrating, like some of these:

Show Some Love to a Fridge

In honor and celebration of World Refrigeration Day, perhaps this would be a good time to pay some respect to that refrigerator in the kitchen – by cleaning it out! Also, remember that there were times when people would have to depend on boxes that were kept cold with blocks of ice, so be sure to be a bit more grateful today for the convenience of an electric refrigerator that can simply be plugged into the wall for power.

Thank a Refrigeration Engineer

Those who have a person in their lives who makes, manufactures or fixes refrigerators, go ahead and show them a little appreciation today. Thank them personally, send them a card, or give them a little shout out on social media to let the world know how important they are for food safety, convenience and cold drinks!

Celebrate with a Cool Refrigeration Theme

World Refrigeration Day offers an exciting opportunity for those in the industry to bond together over different topics and themes. Each year’s events are celebrated with a unique theme, and some of the themes from the past have included:

• Cooling Matters
• Cooling Champions: Cool Careers for a Better World
• Cold Chain 4 Life

Get a Job in the Refrigeration Industry

Not sure what type of career would be best suited? Consider a career in the refrigeration industry. Trade schools, colleges and universities are all equipped to educate with the needed skills for those who want to design, build or repair refrigeration systems. Apprenticeships and on the job training opportunities may also be available for those who are interested in entering directly into the workforce.