From restaurants and cafes to butchers and supermarkets offering a fresh food section, winter commercial refrigeration system maintenance is crucial. Neglecting to care for your systems could result in expensive repairs in the near future, causing your profits to take an unwelcome hit.
So, why is commercial cooling unit and refrigerator maintenance in the winter months essential to your business, and what does it involve? Continue reading to find out more!
Why is commercial refrigeration maintenance important?
Winter can cause issues for our commercial refrigerators – as heater system usage increases to keep premises warm, our refrigerators must work harder to keep your produce cool.
By maintaining your commercial refrigerator and HVAC systems, you can ensure that your stock is kept at optimal and safe temperatures throughout the colder months, helping to keep businesses operating without disruptions.
If your systems break or aren’t running as they should be, profits will decrease, perishable goods will spoil, and your energy bills are likely to go through the roof.
One way to keep on top of potential issues is regular refrigerator maintenance. This involves routine monitoring that you should complete as part of your business operations, as well as professional servicing, which we’ll explore later.
Top tips for industrial refrigerator maintenance during winter
Regular maintenance is the best way to ensure your commercial refrigerator system lasts for its expected life span and this is especially the case during the frigid winter months. Take a look at our helpful tips for correctly caring for your commercial fridge during the cold season.
Commercial refrigerators
1. Check its temperature settings
Sometimes, industrial refrigerators may be operating at an incorrect temperature setting, which can spoil produce.
Additionally, if your refrigerator system is set at a lower temperature than needed, this can result in unnecessary energy consumption, costing your business more money.
Check the thermostat, which is usually found near the front door of most refrigerators – if it isn’t set to the optimal temperature setting, recalibrate the thermostat to ensure a cold and steady temperature throughout winter, which should be between +5-8°C.
2. Clean the fridge and freezer condenser coils in your refrigerator
Your refrigerator coils are responsible for maintaining the desired temperature of your commercial refrigerator by releasing heat from within the appliance and into the air.
However, during the winter when your HVAC system is working overtime to keep your premises warm, these coils work much harder to maintain cold temperatures and keep your goods cool.
To ensure they’re performing optimally, use a small brush or air compressor to regularly remove dust and grime buildup that could insulate the coil and cause overheating.
3. Check refrigerant levels
Keep a close eye on the refrigerant levels in your commercial fridge this winter. These fluids work by transferring heat from the refrigerated space outside, preventing it from overheating.
Replenish your fridge’s refrigerants if they’re not at the levels recommended by the manufacturer.
4. Clean your fridge’s door gaskets and check for damage
Door gaskets, also known as refrigerator door seals, prevent unrefrigerated air from infiltrating and the cool air from within escaping. This helps to keep your produce at their optimal temperature and prevents spoilage.
Given the heating systems working within your property, it’s harder to maintain colder temperatures during the winter months, so you’ll need to ensure your door gasket is in good condition.
Remove each door seal and inspect them for cracks and splits – if they’re damaged, replace them as soon as possible. If they’re still in working order, clean them once every week using soapy warm water to remove contaminants such as dirt or dust.
5. Keep your commercial fridge clean
Just as you should throughout the year, you should clean your refrigerator once every day and give it a deep clean once every four weeks.
This includes wiping the refrigerator and freezer doors, the door hinges, and the interior with the appropriate cleaning solutions and a microfibre cloth.
6. Get your commercial refrigeration systems serviced
Winter refrigerator servicing should be one of your top priorities as we head into the coldest season, even if your equipment seems to be in working order.
Our experts recommend that commercial businesses get their systems serviced by a licensed professional every three to six months to make sure everything is in top condition.
Discovering any mechanical issues early before the winter hits could result in only a small repair and prevent the problem from developing into a major and very costly problem down the line.
Air conditioning maintenance
Just like your refrigerator, AC system maintenance is vital in winter, even if you’re not using your air conditioning. But why is this?
Well, freezing temperatures can cause the pipes in your air conditioning unit to freeze, causing them to crack and split – leaving the system useless.
So, if you want to save your business costly repairs before the summer months arrive, be sure to get your AC systems maintained annually along with your commercial refrigeration units.
How J&M Refrigeration can help
Here at J&M Refrigeration, we’re experts in commercial refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Not only do we supply and fit a range of units for various businesses, but we also offer professional maintenance contracts to ensure your system lasts.
Our team is highly qualified, with each engineer having years of experience servicing commercial air conditioning and refrigeration units.
So, if you’re looking for your next commercial fridge we’re here and more than happy to help. To speak with us, feel free to call us on 0121 544 0555.
