One of the most commonly searched things on the Internet when it comes to topics of commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR concerns ways to keep refrigeration costs low. This isn’t surprising! Not only are commercial refrigeration systems one of the biggest line items on your monthly utility bills, they’re also the system where you’re going to find the most energy waste.

Cutting energy waste and is the first step in saving money through your commercial refrigeration system, but it’s far from the only thing you can do. Take a look at 10 ways to keep costs low in regards to this all-important system:

1. First and foremost, make sure you’re meeting your system’s recommended liquid refrigerant levels. If you’re low, it’s going to cause inefficiencies that are sure to show up on your utility bill.
2. Change out filters and call for routine maintenance in regular intervals. Dirty filters and other buildups are going to put a strain on the system and impact efficiency in a way that you’ll undoubtedly pay for.
3. Monitor the temperature consistency of your system closely and stay abreast of any strange trends of fluctuations. Also, make sure you’re doing everything in your power to keep the system closed, to maintain steady temps.
4. Seal off your ducts to make sure you’re not exposing your refrigerated environment to unmitigated airflows. Unsealed ducts will allow cool air to flow freely out of the environment and other forced air temperatures to flow inward.
5. Have your economizer checked and maintained regularly. Your economizer can be a huge cost saving benefit for your refrigeration, but if it’s not functioning appropriately, you’ll be missing out on those saved costs.
6. Where possible, retrofit your lighting with energy efficient bulbs. LED bulbs aren’t going to put out heat, meaning they’re not going to be a source of radiant heat within your system. Florescent bulbs on the other hand are going to create heat.
7. Monitor three, six, nine and 12-month utility bills to spot change over time. This can yield a substantial amount of information about your commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR—particularly where you might be behind on service, maintenance or problem solving.
8. Make sure your failsafe systems are in full working order. If you accidently leave doors open or encounter functional troubles within the refrigeration system, these alerts will be your first line of defense in preventing the impending costs that follow inefficient operation.
9. Have your chiller tubes cleaned periodically. Buildups within these vital components can hinder heat transfer, thus stunting the function of your system and causing inefficiencies to arise, which will directly correlate to higher operational costs.
10. Last, but absolutely not least, have your system put on a service and maintenance track! A professional will check in with you when it comes time for vital service throughout the year. Not only will this keep things functioning at peak efficiency, it’ll extend the life of your system.

When you really look at the list above, it’s not too hard to keep your refrigeration system operating efficiently! Take these tips to heart and keep a close eye on your energy bill to see what immediate effects they’re having.