Ultra-Low Freezer Survey Results: Needs, Problems & Purchasing Considerations
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Ultra-low freezers enable cold storage of products such as blood, drugs and cell lines at temperatures typically between -45oC to -86 oC. Depending on users' requirements, the freezers are available in a range of designs, with a number of different features and accessories.
Technology Networks recently undertook a survey to better understand the types of ultra-low freezers researchers have access to, their main needs, and the biggest problems they face. A selection of findings from the survey can be found below.
The type of ultra-low freezer researchers have access to:
| Upright | 74.6% |
| Chest freezer | 38.2% |
| Benchtop/Under counter | 9.1% |
14% of respondents told us that their current set-up fails to meet the needs of their laboratory. The top three reasons for this were:
1. Need more storage capacity
2. Nearing end of lifespan/requires regular maintenance
3. Requires disruptive maintenance/freezer frosts up
The main storage needs of the respondent's laboratories were:
| Long term storage | 87.3% |
| Regular access | 84.6% |
| Need samples at workstation | 14.6% |
Only 14.6% of respondents stated that they would consider outsourced storage of their samples. The reasons outsourcing would not be considered included:
| I need regular access | 53.6% |
| I need to/prefer to keep samples in house | 24.6% |
| I do not have enough samples | 4.6% |
| Other | 2.7% |
The five biggest problems with respondent's current ultra-low freezers were:
1. Lack of storage capacity2. Temperature variation
3. Unreliable backup system
4. Temperature stability
5. High energy consumption
When asked how important personalized access and sample security is, researchers responded:
| Critical | 23.3% |
| Important, but not required | 36.2% |
| Not important now but we may need in the future | 25.9% |
| Not important - will never be used | 12.1% |
| No opinion | 2.6% |
Considering a new freezer, the top three factors that influence respondent's purchases are:
1. Capacity
2. Temperature stability/variability in cabinet temperature
3. Size (footprint)
