The Importance of a Maintenance Plan for Refrigeration Systems

Commercial refrigerators are vital equipment that can cost a business a fortune if left un-serviced and breakdown. Preventive maintenance and routine care are necessary to help save on costs and keep your equipment running smoothly and more efficiently longer.

Here are a few maintenance tips for keeping a clean and efficient, long-lasting commercial refrigeration system:

Schedule a Regular Maintenance Routine:

Select a qualified commercial refrigeration service company that offers a customized maintenance plan for your system that you can trust. Setup a routine schedule and what duties to be performed depending on your business’s needs.

Clean the Interior and Exterior:

This should be done regularly with proper cleaning solutions and materials. For a quick clean, try using a soft cloth or brush to slowly scrub the shelves, drain pans, tubes, and surfaces with a detergent-based or vinegar solution. Even disinfectant wipes will help with cleaning the unit and keeping bacteria down. If time allows for a longer cleaning routine, remove the drawers and shelves to soak and rinse for a deeper clean.

Prevent Mold & Bacteria Buildup:

By cleaning the interior and exterior components this will help keep down on potential mold build up. If neglected, commercial refrigerators can cause contamination on any stored food due to mold and bacteria. This could even potentially violate some health codes and discourage your customers if in a retail setting. To prevent this from happening, be sure to keep an eye on mold and dirt on your system as well as cleaning regularly.

Seal Doors Correctly:

Be mindful of the doors opening and closing. Improper door closure puts strain on the system, leading to components wearing out and inefficient cooling. This then results in food not properly preserving. In addition, this could potentially increase spending on energy bills and maintenance down the line. Give the doors a simple check in the evening before closing as a precaution.

Keep the Unit Dry:

Check the shelves and condenser coil regularly for spills and excess water. Too much moisture can cause your system to freeze up over time, thus resulting in an early breakdown.

Do Not Overload Capacity:

Using your system to its full capacity runs the risk of putting more strain on the motor and condenser coil. This could cause serious damage and shorten the equipment lifespan and increase energy costs.

Have a Plan in Place:

It is important to take a proactive approach for maintaining your equipment. Even by following tips to keep the system running efficiently, things can still start to leak or breakdown. Make sure you are monitoring the situation and notify your technician when something does not seem to be working efficiently.

If there is a problem, understand how this will impact your business and hopefully due to preventive measures put in place such as having fluorescent dye in the system and/or having a monitoring system, your technician can solve any issues much quicker. Which in turn protects you from product loss or a consequential setback.

By having a plan and preventative measures in place along with proper care of your refrigeration systems your equipment will perform optimally and last longer.