Walk-in coolers play a significant role in keeping a business’s perishable items fresh. Restaurants and breweries make use of this equipment to preserve their drinks and beverages at desired temperatures. Selecting a cooler to suit various business needs requires an owner to consider multiple factors. Below is a guide on how to choose the right walk-in cooler based on your business.

What Size Walk-In Cooler Does Your Business Need?

There are different walk-in cooler sizes and purchasing one bigger than what a business size demands can be an expensive mistake. Business owners should purchase a cooler that suits the needs of their business size. The fan in a remote system refrigerator occupies the interior space, so these coolers hold a smaller number of products as compared to self-contained refrigeration systems. If you need a large amount of space for perishables, then you should consider purchasing a self-contained walk-in cooler.

Consider the Exterior Influences

Cool boxes ought to maintain a consistent British Thermal Unit (BTU) output level and temperature. A low BTU output could cause the equipment to overwork, requiring frequent repairs. To select the right walk-in cooler, consider the nature of your business and the equipment’s frequency of use. If you plan to place your refrigerator outside or you need to continually open it to access goods, acknowledge that your equipment will have a higher BTU unit output in the summer.

Consider How Much Cooling Your Business Requires

Businesses that store perishable goods like flowers and groceries require refrigeration equipment with temperatures as low as 36-42°F. It is worth noting that coolers that maintain temperatures of about 42°F consume less power than those that need cooling down at 36°F. When selecting a walk-in cooler for a business, owners should not only choose one that minimizes energy consumption, but they should also ensure it is efficient and reliable. At American Energy Air and Solar, we provide homeowners and businesses in the Granite Bay, CA area with installation and maintenance services of HVAC systems, commercial refrigerators, and solar panels. Contact us today for a free estimate.

A walk-in cooler is an essential part of many businesses, including restaurants, convenience stores, and markets. Despite their importance in day-to-day operations, walk-in coolers are often neglected until a problem arises. Here are three common issues that frequently occur with walk-in coolers, as well as tips on how to diagnose and address them before they need costly repairs.

Water Collecting

Because of gaps in the seams around the box, water can build up inside the cooled space and cause lots of problems inside walk-in refrigerators. Warm, moist air from outside can get sucked in and condense to form pools of water or ice, which can cause mold or lead to slip and fall accidents and lawsuits.

Door Problems

Another common problem area is the cooler door. If the sealing gasket around the door is spotty and needs to be replaced, it should be addressed immediately. When the door is closed, there should be an airtight seal at the entrance. Otherwise, the refrigerator will have to work harder to keep the temperature low. Not only will this wear out the parts on the refrigerator, but it will also tack on extra money to each month’s electric bill.

Condenser Issues

The condenser is the part of the refrigerator that condenses and cools the refrigerant liquid. The refrigerant is cooled by dispersing the heat outside the system with fans blowing over the condenser coils. Condenser coils should be checked regularly to ensure they are kept clean. If debris builds up on the coil, it will prevent the heat from leaving the system, which will result in a fatigued system and higher costs.

If you are experiencing any trouble with your commercial refrigeration system, rely on American Energy Air and Solar to fix it. We have decades of experience serving the Sacramento area with our customer-focused service. In addition to commercial refrigeration, we also offer commercial HVAC services and solar battery installation. Contact us online or call (916) 782-3139 to schedule a free estimate.

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Commercial refrigeration needs regular maintenance checks and cleanings to prevent costly repairs and to keep equipment running smoothly. Here’s what should be included in a maintenance checklist.

Keep It Clean, Inside and Out 

Remove the contents and scrub the interior of the refrigeration system with a soft brush, warm water, and soap. This should be done on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule. Stainless steel exteriors shouldn’t be cleaned with rough scrubbers or chlorine cleaners; a washcloth soaked in warm water and vinegar works best and will help preserve the material and expand the life of your equipment. In addition to surface clearnings, you should work with an HVAC company to optimize the mechanical parts of the system in order to keep it running during long periods of time. 

Keep Condenser Coils Clean 

Although refrigeration systems may continue to function even when the condenser coils are dirty, it will have to work harder. This could increase electric bills and cause the refrigeration to overheat and break down. The condenser coils—located on the back of the refrigerator or at the bottom near the condenser—should be kept free of grease.

To clean the coils, first, disconnect the refrigeration. Remove the dirt from the coils with a stiff bristle brush, and then use a vacuum to clear any remaining dirt or grease. According to many manufacturers, the condenser coils should be cleaned once every three months.

Check Air Filters Regularly

Too much grease and dust on an air filter can cause ventilation problems over time. Clean the filters with a shop vacuum to remove dust and clear grease buildup with a degreaser. The air filter should be replaced if the debris has caused splits. 

Test Commercial Defrost System

In addition to checking the air filters and condenser coils, you should also test the defrost system periodically for proper operation. This will help eliminate the buildup of frost that can reduce the efficiency of evaporators. 

Ice Machine Maintenance

The ice machine should be part of any commercial refrigerator cleaning routine. Every few weeks, the ice in the machine should be removed, and the inside should be checked for mold and mildew, cleaned with a mild detergent, and rinsed thoroughly.

Water filters should be changed every six months to maintain the quality of the ice and the speed of ice production, as well as reducing mold build up. Consult the manufacturer’s manual or a refrigerator repair specialist if mold or slime are noticed, as this may be a sign of yeas or bacteria build up. This is important to help prevent health inspection failure.

If your commercial unit needs routine maintenance or repair, our technicians at American Energy Air are ready to help. Fill out our form or call us at (916) 782-3139 today.