For decades, most air conditioning units—residential as well as commercial—have relied, in part, on a gas called difluoro monochloromethane to help keep homes cool. This colorless gas, which is (mercifully) also known as HCFC-22, or R-22, has been the gold standard in refrigeration up until now. Throughout the 2020s, however, the United States government will begin a phase-out of parts and services for systems that rely on HCFC-22.
So, with all that in mind, you’re probably wondering, “When should I convert my company’s equipment to an alternative refrigerant in Eugene, OR?” We have the answer.
Why the phase-out?
Recent studies have indicated that HCFC-22 is exceptionally hazardous to the environment. The role that HCFC-22 plays in an air conditioning system sees the gas released into the atmosphere as a byproduct. Unfortunately, HCFC-22 is also a very potent greenhouse gas. It is 1,800 times more destructive than carbon dioxide. As a result, its eventual abandonment was inevitable.
In a world that’s always looking for ways to combat climate change, a slow-moving ban on HCFC-22 is a step in the right direction.
What does this mean for my business?
If you currently have a properly functioning HVAC system that relies on HCFC-22, then the answer to the question of when you should convert your company’s equipment to an alternative refrigerant in Eugene, OR is simple: there’s no rush. That said, there are some conditions you should be aware of:
Keeping your system maintained is more essential than ever. You should have a plan in place to repair any leaks in your system.
If you need to expand your system in the future, problems could arise.
It may become increasingly expensive to service and repair your HVAC system into the future.
No one is going to drop fines or seize your HVAC equipment. A phase-out simply means that the parts and servicing experience relevant to your HCFC-22 equipment will become increasingly rare.
Preventative maintenance is more important than ever
While possession and use of an HCFC-22 system isn’t a legal problem, you can expect officials to become more vigilant about issues that arise with your system. That means it’s absolutely crucial to ensure that your system is running a peak efficiency at all times.
You likely already have an HVAC maintenance routine in place to prevent climbing energy costs, unexpected failures and other unforeseen problems. Now, you’ll need to make sure your HVAC team is looking for issues with your HCFC-22 system.
We’re ready to help you
Still curious about when you should convert your Eugene, OR company’s equipment to an alternative refrigerant? Call American Refrigeration Inc. and let one of our experienced professionals work with you to establish a solution and a timeline that works for your business and your budget.
Whether you choose to continue using your HCFC-22 system or you need a strategy for transitioning to a new system, we can help! We have more than 20 years of experience servicing HVAC units and commercial refrigeration systems of every kind, and we have the track record to prove it.
When you want the best, make it American Refrigeration Inc. We can’t wait to work with you.
If you combed back through the annals of history, making a note of all of humankind’s most important inventions, you’d be hard pressed to find much that’s more monumental, more critical to our everyday life, than the development of refrigeration. The ability to preserve food and, eventually, other essential items, for extended periods helped sustain people through the winter. It allowed more people to focus less on food cultivation and pursue other worthwhile endeavors. Indeed, refrigeration just might be one of the building blocks of civilization.
Today, that fact is underscored by the number of applications for refrigeration and the scope of commercial freezer services in Eugene, OR.
Serving every industry under the sun
The number of industries that make daily use of commercial freezer services in Eugene, OR is truly astonishing. Throughout the Eugene area, supermarkets and convenience stores big and small keep their food and drink cold with some help from commercial freezers. In fact, across Oregon and around the world, more and more people are filling their grocery carts with frozen food. That means more commercial refrigerators and freezers than ever before.
Beyond the grocery store, commercial freezers play a crucial role in medical laboratories, hotels and restaurants. Large farms and agricultural ventures will find so much to love in a walk-in freezer that can keep goods at the perfect temperature.
Keep things running
Once you’ve found the perfect commercial freezer, the smartest thing to do is schedule routine visits from a qualified professional. Putting experienced eyes on your freezers and refrigerators can have numerous benefits:
Neglected equipment leads to break-downs. Broken refrigeration units and freezers can lead to lost product, which, in turn, could lead to lost clients.
For those in the food service industry, imagine a health inspector popping by your kitchen only to discover that your refrigeration unit isn’t up to standard.
Faulty refrigeration units cost money. Every single month that an ailing unit goes unrepaired, energy costs go up just a little bit more. In the world of business ownership, every dollar matters.
Perhaps most importantly for business owners, routine maintenance saves you money. After all, when your refrigeration system breaks down, not only does it stop your business in its tracks, but it can cost big money to call for emergency repairs and parts.
When emergencies happen
On a long enough timeline, no matter how well you maintain your refrigeration and freezer systems, they will eventually fail. If life experience is any indication, the moment your freezer shuts down will be the absolute worst moment possible. When disasters happen, make sure you have the number of a qualified and competent technician who will be able to come to your aid 24 hours a day.
Our difference
At American Refrigeration Inc., we specialize in a vast array of commercial freezer services in Eugene, OR. From installation to repair to preventative maintenance, our team of highly-skilled technicians can make your refrigeration issues a thing of the past. We even offer emergency services 24 hours a day.
We’re committed to your complete satisfaction, and it’s time to let us prove it to you. Give us a call or visit us online today.
As you can imagine, massive amounts of heat are generated during the distillation process. The remedy for this heat problem is to install distillery chilling systems in Eugene, OR. Keep reading this post to learn more about distillery chillers and to see which type of chiller is right for your distillery.
How it works
Distillery chillers work by pumping hot water through a heat exchanger that’s located inside of a cold-water skid. Once inside the heat exchanger, the water is chilled from glycol from the chiller unit. Hot water continuously circulates through the tank as the day goes on, ensuring that temperatures never get too high. This smooth cycle allows distilleries to operate all day long without ever taking a production break.
Smaller distilleries that don’t need to run 24/7 could utilize direct chilling as opposed to a system with a water tank and cold-water skid. Direct chilling provides the same benefits mentioned above, minus the ability to run without stopping.
What kind of chilling system is right for you?
Distillery chillers aren’t one-size-fits-all units. The size of your chiller needs to be right for the rest of your operation, or you could have a big problem on your hands. Installing a chiller that’s too small means it won’t be able to handle all of the heat. On the flip side, getting one that’s too big is equivalent to throwing money down the drain. Larger chillers are more expensive to install and have higher operating costs. Talk to our professionals at American Refrigeration Inc. about getting the right unit for your operation.
American Refrigeration Inc. is your go-to company!
There are several companies that can supply you with distillery chilling systems in Eugene, OR. However, there’s nobody better than American Refrigeration Inc. Here are a few reasons why local distillers choose us for all of their needs:
Full-service company: What’s the point in calling one company to install your distillery gear, another to maintain it and a third to repair it? At American Refrigeration Inc., we provide all of those services and more.
Industry-leading expertise: The last thing you want is someone without any industry experience tinkering with your distilling gear, so be sure to call us whenever you need help! We’ve been offering dependable service for our customers since 1995, so you can rest easy knowing you’re in good hands.
Fast service: When there’s an issue at your distillery, you can’t afford to sit around all day waiting for a technician to come around. That’s why you should always choose American Refrigeration Inc. We’ll send someone out to your distillery as soon as possible to take a look at the problem and remedy the situation.
Competitive prices: From installation to repairs, you’ll never overpay when you choose to work with American Refrigeration Inc. Though we provide the best service in town, we do so at fair and competitive rates.
Taking a tour of a distillery can be a fun and educational experience, but it can also get quite confusing. There are so many different components involved in the distilling process that keeping it all straight can be frustrating. Two important apparatuses in the distilling process are the alcohol storage tanks and alcohol blending tanks. This post will give you an in-depth look at both alcohol storage and blending tanks in Eugene, OR.
What are storage tanks?
As the name suggests, storage tanks are single-wall units designed to store distilled spirits before any post-processing efforts like proofing, blending and bottling can take place. Storage tanks can also be used to store feints for any future distillation runs. All storage tanks should come with a volume indicator and scale, sampling port, vent pipe with a pressure release valve, CIP ball and piping and shadowless access ports. Storage tanks are vital for any distillery that’s looking to put out larger quantities of product.
What are blending tanks?
Blending tanks are also single-wall tanks, but instead of just holding the distilled spirits, blending tanks are used to mix the spirit and water for proofing, blending and hydroseparation. Blending tanks come with a motorized agitator, volume indicator and scale, sampling port, temperature gauge and CIP ball and piping. Without a blending tank, all of the alcohol from a distilling run would essentially have to be the same proof and have the same taste.
Sizing
Storage and blending tanks come in a variety of sizes for different operations. They start out at 500 liters and go all the way up to 10,000 liters or more. Before purchasing a tank, we recommend talking to our professionals at American Refrigeration Inc. We’ll help you get set up with the right-sized gear, so you don’t get caught overpaying for something you don’t need.
Call us for all your blending tank and storage tank needs!
When it comes to alcohol storage and blending tanks in Eugene, OR, we’re ready to be your one-stop shop. Here’s what we can offer you and your distillery:
Installation: Getting your distillery up and running isn’t as easy as it may initially seem. That’s why we’re here to help you get all of the right equipment at the right price. From mash kettles to holding tanks, we sell everything you need to start or expand your operation.
Maintenance: Upkeep for all of that distillery gear is essential if you want the equipment to last for years to come. We’re here to help out! Call us and see how we can prevent breakdowns and prolong the lifespan of your units.
Repairs: If there is an issue with any of your equipment, just pick up the phone and call our team. We can send someone over to take a look and make any necessary repairs.
The choice is clear if your distillery needs alcohol storage and blending tanks in Eugene, OR: come see our team at American Refrigeration Inc. We have the largest selection of distillery equipment for the most competitive prices in the area.
More and more people and ownership groups across the country are following their dreams and starting up their own craft breweries and distilleries. It’s something of an industry revolution that’s seen major headway over the last decade or so. One might expect the bubble for the industry would be ready to burst by now, but in fact there continues to be large-scale demand for new and exciting craft alcohols.
If you’re preparing to start up a new craft distillery, it is important you’ve done plenty of planning so you’re prepared to hit the ground running and carve out your niche in what’s quickly become a highly competitive industry. This means planning for everything from the equipment you’ll use, such as refrigeration tanks, to the experience you want your customers in Eugene, OR to have.
Here are just a few quick tips for you to keep in mind as you prepare to start a new distilling operation.
Make sure your product is ready before you open up
It’s understandable to get excited and antsy about officially opening your business to the public and selling your liquor, but you must make sure you’ve perfected your product before you start selling it. Consider how much competition there is right now in the world of craft distilling. You only get one chance to make a great first impression, and if you rush your product to the market, then you run the risk of delivering a product that isn’t quite ready, and the public will react accordingly.
When you consider how long it can take for some types of liquor to properly age, this becomes even more important to emphasize. Let your product age properly before you open it up for drinking.
Try starting off with used equipment
One of the most exciting parts about beginning a new craft distillery is finding all the equipment you’ll be using for your operation. However, some of the equipment you’ll need can be extremely expensive if you purchase it new. Considering how tight finances are likely to be for you when you first get going, it’s important to find alternative sources for this equipment.
You can find used distilling equipment, but keep in mind that not all distilling equipment and refrigeration tanks are the same. You should consider what it was used for (and who was using it) before you purchase it, how long it’s been in use and how much usable life it realistically has left. But in general, used equipment is the best way to get your operation off the ground without setting you back too much financially.
Create your own experience
The best thing you can do to set your new distillery apart from the competition is to just be true to yourself and try to make an experience that reflects what you love about the business and the kinds of products you enjoy. Feel free to experiment, but also keep in mind that some of the old traditional standbys never hurt, either.
For more information about starting up a new distillery and getting the refrigeration tanks you need in Eugene, OR, reach out to American Refrigeration Inc. today.
