--- title: Why Refrigeration Control Systems Are Like the Human Heart description: The human heart is a magnificent piece of machinery. Believe it or not, it also makes for a great analogy when talking about certain aspects of commercial freezer defrost systems. Fittingly, it's all about the valves. image: https://solutions.rdtonline.com/hubfs/Why%20Commercial%20Freezer%20Defrost%20Systems%20Are%20Like%20the%20Human%20Heart.jpg --- [![RDT](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RDT%202020%20Logo%20Files/RDT%20Vertical%20Logo%20Blue.png?width=72&height=95&name=RDT%20Vertical%20Logo%20Blue.png "RDT")](https://www.rdtonline.com/) - [Products](https://www.rdtonline.com/products) - [EcoCool](https://www.rdtonline.com/products/eco-cool) - [EcoSmart](https://www.rdtonline.com/products/ecosmart/) - [MultiRak](https://www.rdtonline.com/products/multirak/) - [PremierPak](https://www.rdtonline.com/products/premierpak) - [FlowPak](https://www.rdtonline.com/products/flowpak/) - [Resources](https://www.rdtonline.com/resources) - [Training & Resources](https://www.rdtonline.com/training-resources) - [K-12 Refrigeration Resources](https://www.rdtonline.com/k-12-refrigeration-resources) - [Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)](https://www.rdtonline.com/frequently-asked-questions) - [Literature](https://www.rdtonline.com/resources) - [Warranty Information](https://www.rdtonline.com/warranty) - [Food Waste Solutions](https://www.rdtonline.com/food-waste) - [Energy Saving Solutions](https://www.rdtonline.com/energy-savings) - [Video](https://www.rdtonline.com/resources#video) - About - [Careers](https://www.rdtonline.com/careers) - [Team](https://www.rdtonline.com/team) - [Blog](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog) - [Contact](https://www.rdtonline.com/contact-us) - [Find a Rep](https://www.rdtonline.com/find-a-rep) - [A2L](https://www.rdtonline.com/a2l-transition-resources) --- 1 min read [freezer](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/freezer), [EcoSmart](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/ecosmart) --- # Why Refrigeration Control Systems Are Like the Human Heart 6 Jan, 2020 SHARE - - - [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/why-commercial-freezer-defrost-systems-are-like-the-human-heart&body=Check%20out%20https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/why-commercial-freezer-defrost-systems-are-like-the-human-heart&media=https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2461914/Why%20Commercial%20Freezer%20Defrost%20Systems%20Are%20Like%20the%20Human%20Heart.jpg](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/why-commercial-freezer-defrost-systems-are-like-the-human-heart&body=Check%20out%20https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/why-commercial-freezer-defrost-systems-are-like-the-human-heart&media=https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2461914/Why%20Commercial%20Freezer%20Defrost%20Systems%20Are%20Like%20the%20Human%20Heart.jpg) - - ![Why Commercial Freezer Defrost Systems Are Like the Human Heart](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Why%20Commercial%20Freezer%20Defrost%20Systems%20Are%20Like%20the%20Human%20Heart.jpg?width=1280&name=Why%20Commercial%20Freezer%20Defrost%20Systems%20Are%20Like%20the%20Human%20Heart.jpg)  The human heart is a magnificent piece of machinery. Believe it or not, it also makes for a great analogy when talking about certain aspects of commercial refrigeration systems. Fittingly, it's all about the valves. Traditionally, refrigeration systems used thermostatic expansion valves that essentially measure temperature and use those readings to activate the defrost process. These are mechanical valves that use a bulb to monitor  temperature. Compare the thermostatic expansion valve to the electronic expansion valves we use in our [Eco-Smart systems](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/how-eco-smart-can-make-your-commercial-kitchen-more-efficient/) here at RDT. Electronic Expansion Valves, or EEVs, provide maximum energy savings while allowing for flexibility through the use of different refrigerants. They help protect compressors, while giving precise control of superheat. But how does this relate to the human heart? Essentially, EEVs "take the pulse" of overall refrigeration system, giving real time information and precise data on what's flowing through the system at any given time. If the refrigerant flow is too high, it can be slowed. If it needs to be ramped up, the accurate and timely data will allow for this. The bottom line is the Department of Energy is looking to migrate all commercial refrigeration systems away from thermostatic expansion valves in favor of electronic expansion valves, and RDT is helping lead the way with these innovations. EEVs are found in all of our Eco-Smart systems. ## Find out more about this type of defrost control by watching this short but [comprehensive animation](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/watch-the-eco-smart-introductory-video) that explains how it works.   [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2461914/dac91760-993c-4564-acb0-0fdd33ca010e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2461914/dac91760-993c-4564-acb0-0fdd33ca010e) ## RELATED BLOGS [![ Rep Résumé - Eaton Marketing ](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rep%20Re%CC%81sume%CC%81%20-%20Eaton%20Marketing.png?width=500&name=Rep%20Re%CC%81sume%CC%81%20-%20Eaton%20Marketing.png)](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/eaton-marketing) [RDT team](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/rdt-team) #### [Rep Résumé - Eaton Marketing](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/eaton-marketing) Eaton Marketing is one of our longest-tenured manufacturer's reps here at RDT. That says a lot about who they are and wh... [Read More](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/eaton-marketing) [![ IMG\_1110 ](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_1110.png?width=500&name=IMG_1110.png)](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/why-rdt-hosts-foodservice-consultant-seminars-fcsi-recap) [refrigeration,](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/refrigeration) [commercial refrigeration,](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/commercial-refrigeration) [EcoCool,](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/ecocool) #### [Why RDT Hosts Foodservice Consultant Seminars (and What You May Have Missed This Year)](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/why-rdt-hosts-foodservice-consultant-seminars-fcsi-recap) This September, RDT held another successful FCSI Education Provider Program for foodservice consultants at our factory h... [Read More](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/why-rdt-hosts-foodservice-consultant-seminars-fcsi-recap) [![ Consistent Refrigerated Temperatures Required for These 10 Foods ](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RDT%20Consistent%20Refrigerated%20Temperatures%20Required%20for%20These%2010%20Foods-1.jpg?width=500&name=RDT%20Consistent%20Refrigerated%20Temperatures%20Required%20for%20These%2010%20Foods-1.jpg)](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/consistent-refrigerated-temperatures-required-for-these-10-foods) [refrigeration,](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/refrigeration) [food waste,](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/food-waste) [energy efficiency,](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/energy-efficiency) #### [Consistent Refrigerated Temperatures Required for These 10 Foods](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/consistent-refrigerated-temperatures-required-for-these-10-foods) Navigating the world of proper food refrigeration can sometimes be confusing. Here at RDT, we want to simplify it for yo... [Read More](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/consistent-refrigerated-temperatures-required-for-these-10-foods) **CONTACT US** Refrigeration Design Technologies P.O. Box 622. Waxahachie, TX 75168 1808 FM Road 66. Waxahachie, TX 75167 Phone: (972) 937-3215 Toll-Free: (800) 736-9518 email: [info@rdtonline.com](mailto:info@rdtonline.com) **CONNECT WITH US** [Privacy Policy](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/why-commercial-freezer-defrost-systems-are-like-the-human-heart#a) [Company Profile](https://www.rdtonline.com/about-rdt) ![RDT Logo Horizontal Dark Blue-1](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RDT%202020%20Logo%20Files/RDT%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Dark%20Blue-1.png?width=250&height=84&name=RDT%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Dark%20Blue-1.png) ![FCSI-Logo-125X58](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rdt_Oct2016/FCSI-Logo-125X58.png?width=175&height=81&name=FCSI-Logo-125X58.png)   © Copyright 2026 Refrigeration Design Technologies, Inc. - All Rights Reserved.