Deep learning-based image recognition method for on-demand defrosting control to save energy in commercial energy systems

•An image recognition-based defrosting control method is proposed to save energy.•Time-consuming experiments and laborious labeling workload are greatly reduced.•Recognition accuracy of proposed model is 5.5% higher than conventional CNN model.•Defrosting frequency and energy consumption reduce by 31.68% and 42.92%.•The defrosting control method can be extended to homotypic or heterotypic devices.