A Complete Guide to Commercial Refrigeration
Written by: 1 Source Mechanical
Businesses such as restaurants, country clubs, hospitals, and grocery stores wouldn’t be able to function without commercial refrigeration. All these organizations have a vital interest in keeping foods and other goods cool and safe. Each industry has its own refrigeration requirements, and 1 Source Mechanical has the expertise to support all of them with this critical need.
What is Commercial Refrigeration?
Commercial refrigeration is keeping things cool or cold on a commercial scale. It includes refrigerators, coolers, and freezers, but it’s far more sophisticated than residential refrigeration and freezing. Commercial units must be designed to withstand the challenging environments found in buildings as diverse as convenience stores and food processing plants.
Commercial refrigeration must maintain a consistent cool or cold temperature that ensures that food and other products stay safe and fresh and are not compromised by bacterial growth. Some examples of these refrigeration units are walk-in coolers, reaching-in refrigerators and freezers, and display cases. Each commercial unit is specifically designed for the function it must perform.
How Do Commercial Refrigeration Systems Work?
The systems are composed of components that support a cycle whereby a refrigerant absorbs and expels heat to cool the unit’s interior:
- The compressor is the heart of the system. It initiates the cycle by compressing the refrigerant to increase its temperature and pressure.
- The condenser cools the heated refrigerant and converts it from a gas to a liquid.
- The evaporator enables the refrigerant to absorb heat from the unit’s interior and cool that interior.
- The expansion valve controls refrigerant flow into the evaporator to allow effective heat absorption.
- The refrigerant itself circulates through the system, absorbing and releasing heat.
- The thermostat senses the inside temperature and signals the compressor to activate or deactivate.
How to Choose a Commercial Refrigeration System
Different businesses and industries need different types of systems. Each usage has its own requirements for size, capacity, energy efficiency, temperature range, and durability. There can also be varying installation and maintenance considerations.
Choose by Type
There are several commonly used types of commercial refrigeration units:
- Walks-ins can be coolers or freezers and are used by grocery stores, restaurants, and other food service businesses.
- Reach-ins can be refrigerators or coolers. They are smaller than walk-ins and provide easier access.
- Display cases are designed to show products to customers while keeping them properly cooled.
- Blast chillers and freezers rapidly chill or freeze food, preserving the taste and texture while fighting bacterial growth.
- Under-counter refrigerators and freezers are designed to be easily accessible space-saving solutions for locations such as bars and food trucks.
Choose by Industry
The type of industry or business dictates what sort of refrigeration units will be needed. For example:
- High-volume restaurants and grocery stores need walk-in units to handle large volumes of food.
- Grocery stores also need display units for customer appeal and easy access, as do convenience stores, delis, and even florists.
- Restaurants and smaller food service establishments need the convenience of reach-in units.
- Businesses with limited space may require under-counter solutions.
- Commercial kitchens and manufacturers may require blast chillers.
- Restaurants may also need refrigerated prep tables and wine coolers.
- Ice cream shops may have both reach-in and display freezers.
Specific industries have specialized requirements, so commercial refrigeration comes in a variety of sizes and configurations.
Commercial Refrigeration Maintenance Tips
Commercial refrigeration units need regular maintenance to keep them operating efficiently and maximize their longevity. Some routine tasks can be done by the owner, but regular maintenance service from a professional is also recommended.
Some tips for keeping a unit in tip-top shape:
- Clean the interior every week or two. Remove the food, store it elsewhere, and use soap and water or a refrigerator cleaner.
- Clean the exterior to prevent corrosion.
- Clean the condenser coils regularly with an air compressor, a small brush, a coil comb, and a coil cleaner.
- Clean the evaporator coil with an evaporator comb and a coil cleaner.
- Replace air filters regularly.
- Clean drain pans and tubes.
- Inspect door gaskets.
- Remove any water buildup and keep the unit dry.
A routine maintenance agreement with an HVAC expert will reassure you that these tasks are done in a timely manner.
When to Schedule Repair or Replacement Service
The need for maintenance and repair depends on the type of commercial refrigeration and the business facility. Older units may need more frequent service than newer ones. Large facilities where the units are stressed more hours per day may need more frequent attention. Six months is a typical period between service calls, but that’s highly variable. If you see signs of a problem, such as food not staying as cool as it should, don’t wait to call.
Major repair is generally not recommended for units over 10 years old. It will usually be more cost-effective to replace the machine. Refrigeration technology is constantly improving, and you can save on energy bills and also reduce future repair costs.
Here are some telltale signs that you may need to repair or replace your refrigeration:
- Food not staying cool or cold.
- Sudden appearance of frost.
- Water puddling near the unit.
- Unexplained noises.
- An increase in utility bills.
1 Source Mechanical is Your Commercial Refrigeration Pro!
A refrigeration failure can bring your business to a halt, and you need to take care of it promptly. When a problem arises, you won’t want to be thumbing through the phone book and picking an HVAC company at random.
1 Source Mechanical is the greater Chicagoland’s go-to HVAC professional for fast and reliable service. Call at any time for 24/7 emergency response. We have access to the important parts and accessories to minimize your downtime and get your critical refrigeration unit up and running.
Whether you’re outfitting a new building with commercial refrigeration, replacing or repairing an existing unit, or are eager to get the maximum efficiency and longevity of what you have, contact us for first-rate installation, repair, and maintenance at reasonable prices.
