An Introduction To Avoiding Commercial Refrigerator Failures

In some industries, commercial refrigeration units are a very important part of the business. From restaurant kitchens to refrigerators in supermarkets, convenience stores, and hotel gift shops, keeping food and beverages cold for customers and employees is essential. If your unit fails, you risk frozen food melting, refrigerated food spoilage, and lost revenue. Not only would you risk losing inventory, which would bring your business to a standstill, but you'd also have to invest in new equipment or pay thousands of dollars in repairs. Fortunately, with just a few steps, you can extend the life of your equipment and avoid outright cooling failure.

It is essential to keep your cooler, refrigerator, or freezer in top condition to avoid complete damage. You can even look for some signs of failure. Something like a puddle inside or outside the cooler could indicate a leak in the drain line or a malfunctioning major component. Temperature fluctuations may indicate a problem with the condenser, evaporator, fan, thermometer, or other components. If the unit can't reach a certain temperature, it could be a sign of a failing component or a damaged door seal. If your unit isn't performing the way it should, you need to have it checked by a knowledgeable refrigeration mechanic right away, even if the problem seems minor.

The location of your unit is also important. If your refrigerator doesn't have vents or if the fan is blocked, it won't be able to cool effectively and efficiently, which could cause critical components like the compressor to fail. This can result in hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repair bills, so you should be sure to check the location of your commercial refrigeration unit to make sure all fans are running freely and keep the vents away from the wall. Content is also an important thing to consider. If overloaded, your refrigerator may not be able to maintain the proper temperature and may be overworked to cool, causing critical components to fail prematurely.

Regular maintenance by professionals is necessary to prolong the life of commercial refrigeration systems such as walk-in coolers, refrigerators,  or freezers. While you can check some aspects of your equipment yourself, other parts will need to be checked several times a year. A professional will inspect and clean your evaporator and condenser coils, refill refrigerant, and repair leaks as needed, and can make sure your unit is functioning properly. All maintenance should be performed by licensed and experienced professionals.

The best way to avoid a complete system breakdown is to use the system as intended, check it regularly, and perform frequent maintenance. Even though things like maintenance and minor repairs do cost money, you save money in the long run by avoiding unnecessary and easily preventable breakdowns that can cost thousands of dollars in repair or replacement costs.