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.
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.
The systems are composed of components that support a cycle whereby a refrigerant absorbs and expels heat to cool the unit’s interior:
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.
There are several commonly used types of commercial refrigeration units:
The type of industry or business dictates what sort of refrigeration units will be needed. For example:
Specific industries have specialized requirements, so commercial refrigeration comes in a variety of sizes and configurations.
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:
A routine maintenance agreement with an HVAC expert will reassure you that these tasks are done in a timely manner.
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:
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.