Commercial refrigerators are a big investment for businesses. They require routine cleaning and service to maintain their performance. If neglected, these units can lose efficiency and may even lead to costly repairs.
Unexpected problems can cause major issues for a business, from food spoilage to lost profits and fines. Performing commercial refrigeration maintenance can help prevent these problems before they escalate. Read on to know more.
Clogged Drain Pan and Tubing
The drain pan in the back of your commercial refrigerator contains water that collects from condensation. If it becomes full, you may experience flooding and leakage problems. It’s important to check and clean the auxiliary pan regularly.
The defrost drain tube can also become clogged with food debris. A turkey baster and a solution of warm water or vinegar should help clear a blockage.
Dirty condenser coils are another common cause of refrigerator problems. Clean the coils regularly to avoid overheating and damage to other components. To do this, first, unplug the unit. Then, tilt the freezer or fridge legs to allow you to access the coils. If you’re unable to tilt the legs, place a shim (about 1/8 inch thick at a wide edge) under each leg.
Frost on the Inside
Commercial refrigerators consume a huge amount of power – even larger ones, such as those found in supermarkets, can expend up to 38,000 kilowatt-hours of energy per year. That’s why it’s important to conduct regular walk-in freezer inspections to prevent problems with energy consumption, which can lead to high electricity bills and costly commercial refrigeration repairs.
If you notice that your fridge has frost inside, it could be a sign of poor air ventilation or doors that have been left open for too long. A faulty evaporator fan or motor could also be the culprit.
The best way to address this problem is to clean the coils on your commercial fridge regularly with a hose-type cleaner and make sure your staff closes the door properly. This can prevent unnecessary wear and tear on the compressor, which will also reduce your electricity bills.
Lighting Problems
Running a commercial business requires a lot of things, including proper refrigeration to keep food fresh and prevent health issues. Whether you use your commercial refrigerator for food and drink, flowers, or medical components, keeping it working properly can help you avoid losing inventory and wasting money.
If you spot ice on the outside of your freezer or evaporator coils, that’s an indicator that something is wrong with the temperature inside. It could be as simple as the freezer being overloaded and not allowing sufficient airflow, or it may be a larger problem that a technician needs to repair.
Commercial fridges must be kept clean to maintain an accurate temperature. If you see water puddles inside or under your unit, it’s important to get this fixed immediately because it can cause the unit to overwork and lead to skyrocketing energy bills.
Loud Noises
Commercial refrigerators are built with a lot of equipment that incorporates motors, a compressor, and various mechanical spare parts. Therefore, it’s not uncommon for the equipment to start producing a loud running noise.
Some fridge sounds, such as sizzling and dripping, are harmless, but others can signal that something is wrong with your appliance. For instance, a humming sound can indicate that the compressor or evaporator fan motor is in danger of failing.
In some cases, the issue may be as simple as a dirty fan or compressor. Cleaning these two components regularly can cut down on the refrigerator’s disturbing noises. You can also reduce vibrations that cause noisy fridges by putting foam mats under them.
Frozen Food
Often the food and drinks stored in a commercial fridge take longer than usual to cool, which can lead to food spoilage and early expiration. This requires that the freezer be checked and adjusted to ensure it is cooling properly.
Sometimes it can be an easy problem to fix like checking your temperature settings are at optimal refrigerator freezing temperatures (0degF). Other times it is a little more complicated, such as the door gaskets which may need to be replaced or repaired due to age and wear.
Also keep an ear open for sounds that are not normal, such as buzzing or rattling. These can be a sign of problems with fans and motors that need attention. A refrigeration expert can help diagnose these issues and repair them correctly. See more.