2.5 Cu. Ft. ARES Cool Plus Series Freestanding Countertop Solid Door Laboratory Refrigerator

Description

ARS-HC-UCFS-0204 – Product Highlights

• ARES Cool proprietary cold storage line: Distributed exclusively by ARES Scientific with full institutional warranty support and direct manufacturer escalation paths.
• 2.5 cubic foot capacity with four adjustable shelves provides organized cold storage for mid-volume vaccine inventory, reagents, blood products, and specimens — substantially more capacity than the 1 cu. ft. countertop while keeping a compact 17.75-inch-wide footprint.
• Microprocessor temperature controller with digital display manages cycle temperatures from 1°C to 10°C, supporting CDC-aligned vaccine cold-chain monitoring workflows that require precision beyond mechanical thermostat capabilities.
• Forced-draft air circulation using an interior fan delivers excellent temperature uniformity throughout the cabinet and rapid recovery after door openings — critical for clinical and pharmacy environments with frequent access patterns.
• Audible and visual high and low temperature alarms with remote alarm contacts support BMS integration and local monitoring station alerts, while a 3/4-inch probe access port accommodates third-party NIST-traceable data loggers.
• Right-hinged solid swing door protects light-sensitive contents (vaccines, certain reagents, blood products) and supports keyed access control via a built-in door lock for security in shared lab environments.
• HFC-free R600a hydrocarbon refrigerant reduces global warming potential versus legacy HFC formulations and supports laboratory sustainability reporting requirements.
• UL/C-UL listed and ENERGY STAR certified documents electrical safety compliance and qualifies the unit for institutional energy-efficiency rebate and procurement standardization programs.
• LED interior lighting, leveling legs, and white powder-coated steel exterior support sample visibility, level installation on uneven floors, and routine sanitation in clinical workspaces.
• Two-year parts and labor warranty plus five-year compressor parts warranty; 4-inch clearance on back and sides is required for ventilation and warranty compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions – ARS-HC-UCFS-0204

What is the ARS-HC-UCFS-0204 and what makes it different from the 1 cu. ft. UCFS-0104?

The UCFS-0204 is a 2.5 cu. ft. ARES Cool Plus Series freestanding countertop laboratory refrigerator with four adjustable shelves — 2.5× the capacity of the 1 cu. ft. UCFS-0104 while still fitting under most standard 36-inch counters. Both units share the same microprocessor controller, forced-draft air circulation, R600a refrigerant, audible/visual alarm package, and UL/ENERGY STAR certifications; capacity and shelf count are the primary differentiators.

What is the difference between a solid door and a glass door undercounter refrigerator?

Solid doors like the UCFS-0204’s offer better insulation and protect light-sensitive contents (some vaccines, reagents, blood products) but require opening the door for visual inventory checks. Glass door equivalents like the UCFS-0204G trade marginal insulation for at-a-glance inventory visibility, useful in high-throughput pharmacy environments where reducing door-open time outweighs the slight insulation penalty.

What applications does the UCFS-0204 typically serve?

Typical uses include vaccine and medication inventory in retail and clinic pharmacies, reagent and consumable storage in research and clinical labs, controlled-temperature storage in vivariums and animal research facilities, and specimen holding in morgue and pathology workspaces — anywhere mid-volume cold storage with regulatory-aligned controls is needed in a sub-3 cu. ft. footprint.

Is the UCFS-0204 compliant with CDC vaccine storage guidelines?

The microprocessor controller maintains the 1°C to 10°C range that contains the 2°C to 8°C CDC vaccine storage window, and the unit provides audible/visual alarms plus a probe access port for adding a NIST-traceable data logger or temperature monitoring device — standard CDC requirements for vaccine storage. Facility validation, documentation, and ongoing monitoring under VFC and state guidelines remain the customer’s responsibility; see our vaccine refrigerator selection guide.

Can the UCFS-0204 be installed flush against a wall or under enclosed cabinetry?

No — the unit is freestanding (UCFS designation) and exhausts heat through rear and side vents, requiring 4 inches of clearance around the back and both sides. Flush or enclosed installation voids the warranty and causes overheating that degrades temperature performance. For built-in flush installation, choose a UCBI (built-in undercounter, front-breathing) model from the broader undercounter refrigerator category.

What infrastructure does this refrigerator require?

Standard 115 VAC / 60 Hz single-phase electrical service through a NEMA 5-15 plug drawing 0.9 amps — no dedicated circuit required from a load perspective, though shared circuits with high-draw equipment should be avoided. Ambient operating range is +18°C to +26°C with relative humidity below 70 percent for warranty-compliant performance.