Know When To Replace Your Commercial Refrigerator Or Compressor
Commercial refrigerators are essential to many industries. Food services, gas stations, and convenience stores rely on proper refrigeration for much of their sales. When a residential refrigerator needs to be repaired or replaced, it is often easy to detect because it’s an integral part of the home. While we may not live at work, we need both residential and commercial refrigerators to function properly.
When Does A Commercial Refrigerator Need To Be Replaced?
When a commercial refrigerator or compressor needs to be replaced, it isn’t always obvious. Food that goes bad or rancid before the expiration date can smell, and customers may complain, but that’s not the only sign a refrigerator is having problems.
A compressor is an integral part of the commercial fridge. A compressor consists of coils, piping, gaskets, and controls that can be difficult to replace if a refrigerator is over ten years old. Once a compressor ceases to work, the refrigerator cannot pump enough cool air to match the temperature setting and is considered faulty. When a compressor ceases to work all together, the refrigerator will likely stop running.
Signs a commercial refrigerator needs to be replaced include:
- The sudden influx of frost
- Puddles of water surrounding the fridge
- Loud or unexpected noises coming from any part of the refrigerator
- A sudden increase in the electric bill
Energy Efficiency for Commercial Refrigeration
When a commercial refrigerator ceases to work correctly, it can dramatically increase an energy bill’s cost. Whether this happens all at once or a little bit over time, you could be spending far more on bills than it would cost to replace the commercial refrigerator.
According to the U.S. Small Business Association, approximately a quarter of electricity consumption is from commercial refrigeration. Buying an up-to-date commercial refrigerator is an investment not only for the quality of service provided but also for future energy bills.
If a commercial refrigerator is over ten years old, repairing it is not advised. It is less expensive in the long run to replace a commercial refrigerator if it is close to a decade old. Using a newer model, you can spend less money on bills and future repair costs.
3 Factors To Consider When Replacing A Commercial Refrigerator
If you haven’t replaced your commercial refrigerator in several years, you may not know which type to buy. Depending on your needs, commercial refrigerators come in different sizes with different benefits.
1.) Repair costs. Buying a less expensive commercial refrigerator has its positives and negatives. While you may spend less money upfront, there may be more repair costs to factor in. The cost to repair a commercial fridge can be higher than a residential fridge, and if you are not aware of the price, it can catch you off guard. Most people schedule yearly repair checks so that the cost doesn’t build up over time.
2.) Reliability. Commercial refrigerators must be reliable when running a food service. An energy-efficient refrigerator won’t raise utility costs and can be used in almost any business. For questions about which appliance would work best for your specific energy consumption, a trained technician can help.
3.) Functionality. Different refrigerators are built for various purposes. Depending on the type of business you run, certain refrigerators may work better than others. Whether you need glass doors or extra room, commercial refrigerators come in a wide array of styles.
Some of the most popular commercial refrigerators include reach-in refrigerators designed for kitchens, worktop refrigerators that can be used as a makeshift table, and walk-in coolers. Walk-in coolers are a wise investment for businesses struggling with Arizona heat. Large quantities of food that must be kept fresh and healthy to eat need serious refrigeration.
Commercial refrigerators will usually need some kind of refrigeration maintenance. While this should not happen on a regular basis, it is wise to have scheduled visits to keep appliances running smoothly. Monthly checks that can be done without a service technician can include checking the gaskets, paying extra attention to the drain, and cleaning the condenser.
For help replacing or repairing appliances, our trained technicians can help. We offer help with a variety of A/C systems so that you can maximize your business’s potential. For more information, please call or email today.
