Designed to serve the small commercial and residential markets (where split A/C systems are common), the Ice Bear connects directly to a compressor's refrigerant lines, allowing it to freeze water sealed inside the Ice Bear unit, which holds about 50 ton-hrs (sufficient to carry a 7.5-ton load through a normal workday without running the system's compressor). Using a small built-in refrigerant pump, the Ice Bear circulates refrigerant through its sealed ice block, returning liquid refrigerant for use in the A/C system. No changes in A/C settings or operation are necessary, so occupants are unaware of the difference.
Depending on night climate, energy efficiency may also be improved since running the A/C unit's compressor when outside air is cooler (and no solar load exists) may allow it to produce cooling using fewer kWh. Standby losses are quite low: Ice Energy claims less than 1%/day, even on the hottest days. Power draw by an Ice Bear is minimal: a combined 300W for the refrigerant and water pumps.