Laboratory Refrigerators & FreezersUltra-Low Temperature Freezer
Thermo Scientific TSX60086FA Laboratory Refrigerator Manual
Setup, everyday use, maintenance and troubleshooting for the 28.8 cu. ft. ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezer, with verified specifications.
- Volume28.8 cu. ft.
- TypeUltra-Low Temperature Freezer
- Energy at −70 °C5.96 kWh/day
- Est. yearly cost$370
About the Thermo Scientific TSX60086FA
The Thermo Scientific TSX60086FA is a 28.8 cu. ft. ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezer certified under the ENERGY STAR program for laboratory-grade refrigerators and freezers. The cabinet measures 40.5 in. wide, 35.8 in. deep and 77.8 in. high.
It has one solid door, 3 shelves or drawers, 2 access ports for probes or monitoring cables, and manual defrost. Installed accessories listed in the certification: shelves.
Rated energy use is 5.96 kWh per day at −70 °C and 8.78 kWh per day at −80 °C. The certification lists a calculated 0.26 kWh/day per cubic foot. Its energy use per cubic foot is lower than 76% of the 77 Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer models in our database.
In the ENERGY STAR test the unit showed a peak temperature variance of 12.5 °C.
Specifications
| Brand | Thermo Scientific |
|---|---|
| Model number | TSX60086FA |
| Product type | Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer |
| Total volume | 28.8 cu. ft. |
| Form factor | Upright |
| Width | 40.5 in. |
| Depth | 35.8 in. |
| Height | 77.8 in. |
| Number of doors | 1 |
| Glass doors | 0 |
| Solid doors | 1 |
| Door style | Swinging |
| Shelves or drawers | 3 |
| Access ports | 2 |
| Defrost type | Manual |
| Daily energy use at −70 °C | 5.96 kWh/day |
| Daily energy use at −80 °C | 8.78 kWh/day |
| Calculated energy use per cu. ft. | 0.26 kWh/day/cu. ft. |
| Peak temperature variance | 12.5 °C |
| NSF/ANSI 456 (vaccine storage) certified | No |
| Refrigerant(s) | R-170 (ethane), R-290 (propane) |
| Installed accessories | Shelves |
Safety information
- Plug the unit into a dedicated, properly grounded receptacle that matches the nameplate rating. Do not use extension cords or power strips, and protect the plug from being knocked loose — consider a plug lock or a labeled "do not unplug" receptacle.
- Do not store flammable or volatile chemicals in this unit unless it is specifically rated and labeled for flammable-materials storage. Ordinary laboratory refrigerators contain ignition sources inside the cabinet.
- Use two or more people, or a suitable lift, to move the unit, and secure it against tipping as the manufacturer directs — tall uprights can be top-heavy when loaded.
- Decontaminate the interior before service or relocation if it has held biological or hazardous materials, and follow your institution's biosafety procedures.
- Disconnect power before cleaning the condenser or performing any maintenance behind panels.
- Wear insulated gloves when handling items or racks from the freezer; surfaces at these temperatures can cause cold burns.
Installation and first-time setup
Plan the location before delivery. This unit is 40.5 in. wide, 35.8 in. deep and 77.8 in. high; check doorways, elevators and corridors, and allow the side, rear and top clearances the manual specifies for airflow plus room for the door to swing open fully.
- Choose the location
Pick a level floor in a room that stays within the ambient temperature range in the manual, away from direct sun, heat sources, supply-air diffusers and high-traffic doorways. ULT freezers reject a lot of heat; confirm the room's HVAC can handle it, because a hot room raises energy use and shortens compressor life.
- Let it stand
If the unit was transported on its side or tilted, leave it upright for the period stated in the manual (often several hours or overnight) before switching it on.
- Level and secure
Adjust the leveling feet or lock the casters so the cabinet is stable and the doors close and seal on their own. Install any anti-tip hardware supplied.
- Power up empty
Switch the unit on with nothing inside and let it reach its setpoint and stabilize — typically several hours for a ULT freezer — before loading.
- Set alarms and monitoring
Program high and low temperature alarm limits, test the audible alarm, and connect any remote alarm contacts or monitoring system through the access ports.
- Verify temperature
Before storing critical materials, confirm performance with a calibrated, independent thermometer or data logger over at least a day, ideally checking several shelf locations.
Using your laboratory freezer
Temperature settings
ULT freezers typically operate between −70 °C and −86 °C. Many institutions now set ULT freezers to −70 °C instead of −80 °C where sample requirements allow, because it reduces energy use and compressor stress. For this model the certified figures are 8.78 kWh/day at −80 °C versus 5.96 kWh/day at −70 °C — about 32% less energy at the warmer setpoint.
The certified peak temperature variance of 12.5 °C reflects how much temperature varied across the cabinet and over time during testing — useful when deciding where to place your most temperature-sensitive materials. Its variance is lower than 82% of the 77 Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer models in our database.
Loading for stable temperatures
- Leave space between items and between items and the walls so air can circulate; never block the air vents or fan grilles.
- Do not load large quantities of warm material at once — stage loading so the unit can recover.
- Keep an up-to-date inventory map so doors are opened briefly and items are found quickly.
- Use racks and boxes sized for the shelves so the door seals fully and air can flow.
Defrosting
This unit uses manual defrost. Frost builds up from humid air entering when the door opens. Remove frost from door gaskets and inner doors regularly with a soft scraper or cloth, and fully defrost the unit when frost becomes thick enough to interfere with door sealing or reduce storage space. Move contents to a backup unit before a full defrost.
Alarms and power failures
Respond to every temperature alarm promptly and record the event. During a power outage keep the door closed; a full, well-loaded unit holds temperature longer. Critical units should be on emergency power circuits, and a plan for moving contents to a backup unit should be in place before it is needed.
Care and maintenance
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Daily | Check and record the displayed temperature (and min/max readings) and confirm no alarms are active. |
| Every week | Check door gaskets for frost, ice or debris and wipe them clean; make sure doors close and latch fully. |
| As needed | Remove frost from gaskets and inner doors; perform a full defrost when frost is thick or doors no longer seal well. |
| Every month | Clean the interior and spills with a mild detergent or a disinfectant compatible with the liner; test the alarm. |
| Every 3–6 months | Disconnect power and vacuum or brush the condenser coil and clean any condenser filter. Dusty labs need more frequent cleaning. |
| Every year | Have temperature probes and displays calibrated or verified against a reference, replace alarm backup batteries, and have a technician check refrigeration performance. |
Keep a maintenance and temperature log for each unit; regulatory programs and accreditation bodies often require it.
Troubleshooting
If an alarm sounds, first protect the contents — move critical materials to a backup unit if temperature cannot be restored quickly — then work through the checks below.
| Problem | Possible cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| High-temperature alarm | Door left open or not sealing; large warm load; dirty condenser; room too hot. | Close and check the door and gasket; allow recovery time; clean the condenser; check room temperature and clearances. |
| Cannot reach −80 °C | Room too warm; dirty condenser filter; heavy frost on inner doors; overfilled cabinet. | Lower room temperature; clean filters; remove frost; consider operating at −70 °C if samples allow. |
| Temperature varies between shelves | Blocked air vents; overloading; items against walls. | Rearrange contents to leave airflow gaps; keep vents clear. |
| Frost or ice buildup | Frequent or long door openings; worn gasket; defrost due. | Minimize door openings; replace a damaged gasket; defrost as described above. |
| Unit runs constantly | Dirty condenser; high ambient temperature; gasket leak. | Clean the condenser; improve room ventilation; inspect gaskets. |
| Condensation on the exterior or glass | High room humidity; door not fully closed. | Lower room humidity if possible; check door alignment and seal. |
| Unusual noise or vibration | Cabinet not level; fan obstruction; loose panel. | Level the cabinet; check for items touching fans; contact service if noise persists. |
| Alarm or error code displayed | Brand-specific diagnostic code. | Error codes are not standardized; consult the code table in your manufacturer's manual. |
Energy use and running costs
At −70 °C the Thermo Scientific TSX60086FA is rated at 5.96 kWh per day; at −80 °C it is rated at 8.78 kWh per day. At $0.17 per kWh, running continuously costs about:
| Setpoint | Energy per year | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|
| −70 °C | 2,175 kWh | $370 |
| −80 °C | 3,205 kWh | $545 |
Real-world consumption rises with room temperature, frequent door openings and frost buildup, and lab cooling equipment also adds heat that the building's HVAC must remove.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capacity of the Thermo Scientific TSX60086FA?
It has a total volume of 28.8 cubic feet with 3 shelves or drawers.
What are the dimensions of the Thermo Scientific TSX60086FA?
It measures 40.5 in. wide, 35.8 in. deep and 77.8 in. high. Add the clearances specified in the manual for airflow and door swing.
How much energy does the Thermo Scientific TSX60086FA use?
It is rated at 5.96 kWh/day at −70 °C and 8.78 kWh/day at −80 °C, which costs about $370 a year at −70 °C and $0.17/kWh.
What refrigerant does the Thermo Scientific TSX60086FA use?
The certification lists R-170 (ethane) and R-290 (propane). These include natural hydrocarbon refrigerants with very low global-warming potential; hydrocarbons are flammable, so service requires specially trained technicians.
Does the Thermo Scientific TSX60086FA defrost automatically?
No. It uses manual defrost, so remove frost from gaskets regularly and fully defrost it when frost builds up, after moving contents to a backup unit.
Is the Thermo Scientific TSX60086FA ENERGY STAR certified?
Yes. It appears on the ENERGY STAR list of laboratory-grade refrigerators and freezers, with a certification date of February 2023.
Sources and disclaimer
Specifications on this page come from the ENERGY STAR certified laboratory refrigerators & freezers dataset published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (record certified February 18, 2023), retrieved October 7, 2026.
The setup, operating, maintenance and troubleshooting guidance is written by ManualHarbor's editors for this specific product type and configuration. It is an independent guide — not a reproduction of the manufacturer's manual — and ManualHarbor is not affiliated with Thermo Scientific. Always follow the safety instructions, installation requirements and warranty terms supplied with your unit, and contact Thermo Scientific or an authorized service provider for warranty repairs and replacement parts.
Running-cost figures use assumed U.S. average utility prices and are estimates for comparison only. See our editorial methodology for details.
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