Need to invest in walk-in cooler installation for your business? Or is it time for a new walk-in freezer or a combo of the two? These are costly appliances, which means you need to be informed about the many things to consider before making a purchase.
Here are the basics you need to know regarding walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer installation, so you can make the best decision for your business.
Types of units
You first need to determine whether your business needs a walk-in refrigerator, a walk-in freezer or a unit that’s a combination of the two. Walk-in refrigerators keep foods cold but not freezing, typically around 41°F. Walk-in freezers keep frozen foods around 0°F. A combination unit includes a separate section for the foods that only need to be kept cold and a section for foods that need to be frozen.
Indoor vs outdoor units
Walk-in coolers can be installed either indoors or outdoors. Specially-made units are available for outdoor walk-in cooler installation, and the process involves pouring a concrete pad to support the unit. These units typically feature a rain roof and a door hood that keeps water from finding a way in. Some outdoor walk-in units also contain a heating unit that keeps food from getting too cold when temperatures outdoors hit the below-freezing mark.
Size and space of the unit
It can be tricky to calculate the size of the walk-in unit you need to hold food at your business. Start by checking the amount of open space available if you’re having the unit installed indoors. As a general rule, you can calculate the space you need by accounting for 1 cubic foot of space per 28 pounds of food you’ll be storing.
Keep in mind that the evaporator coil may take up some space inside the unit. There are several upgraded units that have these systems outside of the box to free up more space inside. Custom-made units are available, but you’ll need to have detailed drawings and be prepared to pay the expenses involved in custom work.
Size of the refrigeration system
You also need to determine the size and type of refrigeration system you need. This refers to how powerful the system is, as well as whether it’s for refrigeration, freezing or both. The overall size of the unit will determine the power requirements of your system—more cubic footage requires more power.
Energy and efficiency
In some cases, you’ll need to bolster your electrical system to account for a new walk-in cooler or refrigerator. Make sure you understand the specs regarding efficiency of the unit, and check with an HVAC pro to see if you’ll need the services of an electrician prior to installation.
Looking for more information on walk-in cooler and walk-in freezer installation? Contact American Refrigeration Inc today. We’ll guide you through the process of selecting the right unit for the needs of your business, and we’ll take care of professional installation and any maintenance concerns that may arise during the unit’s lifespan.
All appliances, no matter how durable, have a certain lifespan. Eventually, even the best appliances must be replaced due to waning performance, wear and tear or repair issues that come up after years of use.
Before the end of an appliance’s lifespan, however, chances are that there will be certain maintenance tasks that must be taken care of—including part replacement. One of the most common repairs for commercial food storage equipment is walk-in cooler compressor replacement.
Keep reading to learn about how long walk-in cooler compressors last and how to tell when it’s time for replacement.
What is a walk-in cooler compressor?
Walk-in cooler compressors are essential to the effective operation of commercial refrigerators and freezers. The compressor’s role in the refrigeration process is to compress and control the flow of refrigerant throughout the cooling system. Compressors can be mounted at the top or bottom of a commercial refrigerator or freezer. The optimal placement for a compressor depends on where the refrigeration equipment is placed and how it will be used.
Lifespan of walk-in cooler compressors
When a cooler compressor fails, it can cause all kinds of problems that prevent commercial refrigeration equipment from working effectively. The exact lifespan of a walk-in cooler compressor may vary depending on how frequently it is maintained and how much stress it is under as a result of everyday use; however, most technicians estimate that walk-in cooler compressors will last about 10 years.
The precise lifespan of a walk-in cooler compressor will depend on the type of compressor, the manufacturer, the size of the walk-in cooler, the level of use and the frequency of maintenance. Unsurprisingly, walk-in cooler compressors last longer when they are cared for and maintained properly, so it’s a good idea to keep up with regular maintenance of walk-in coolers to make sure that compressors stay in the best condition possible for as long as possible.
However, no matter how diligent you are when it comes to walk-in cooler maintenance, compressors will eventually have to be replaced, and it’s a good idea to be aware of the signs that it’s time for walk-in cooler compressor replacement.
Keep an eye on your walk-in cooler to check for signs of damage or performance issues that might indicate that something is wrong with your compressor or one of your other system components. Excessive ice accumulation, water leaks, inconsistent temperatures and noisy operation can all indicate that something is wrong with a walk-in cooler compressor. If you notice any of these problems, contact a professional refrigeration technician who can inspect your walk-in cooler and check the compressor to determine whether repair or replacement is necessary.
Walk-in cooler compressor replacement
For professional help with walk-in cooler compressor replacement, the team at American Refrigeration Inc is here to help. We have been providing commercial businesses throughout the area with comprehensive refrigeration repairs for over 25 years, and we continue to deliver the highest-quality services available to our customers. Call us today to learn more about everything that we have to offer.
Preventative maintenance is essential when it comes to keeping equipment and appliances in the best condition possible. Investing in routine maintenance is hands-down the best way to extend the lifespan of equipment while boosting its efficiency and performance.
Oftentimes, business owners neglect preventative maintenance in an effort to save money—but the reality is that putting off maintenance will only delay expenses and will result in far more complicated and costly problems.
Keep reading to learn about how to take care of reach-in freezer repair and maintenance to get the most out of your freezer equipment.
Tips for reach-in freezer repair and maintenance
Here are some of the best tips to keep in mind when it comes to reach-in freezer repair and preventative maintenance:
Check temperature settings: Many of the problems that commonly come up with reach-in freezers are caused by issues with temperature settings. If a freezer’s thermometer is programmed to the wrong settings, it will increase the risk of ice buildup, food spoilage and leaks. Check your freezer’s thermometer to see what the temperature is, and check what it is set to. Read your freezer’s owner’s manual for an accurate temperature recommendation so that you can make sure that your freezer’s thermometer is set to the right temperature.
Reorganize stored food: Packing food into a freezer without any effort to organize items can result in overcrowding and restrict airflow, leading to ice buildup and inconsistent cooling of food items. Take time to reorganize stored food, and make sure that there is plenty of room in between items for air to circulate through the freezer. Reorganizing a freezer also offers the perfect opportunity to find and throw away old food that was lost in your freezer.
Check gaskets, seals, hinges and latches for damage: Without a proper seal, reach-in freezers won’t work properly to keep food products at the right temperature. Gaskets, seals, hinges and latches all play essential roles in maintaining an airtight seal for a freezer door, so inspect these components regularly to check for signs of wear, tear and damage. If you notice that any of these things are damaged, invest in replacement to keep your freezer working as effectively as possible.
Contact a professional for maintenance and repairs: A lot of business owners take on DIY freezer maintenance and repairs in an effort to save money, but going the DIY route is often more trouble than it’s worth. To make sure that you get the best repairs possible, always hire a professional who is trained to work on reach-in freezers.
We offer comprehensive commercial refrigeration services to keep equipment of all kinds in the best working condition possible. Our team has been proud to serve customers with high-quality services since 1995, and we are committed to providing the best customer service experience possible. Find out more about our services and request a consultation and a quote today by giving us a call.
There are many benefits to converting your R-22 air conditioning system to an R-410A system. These benefits range from the legal to the financial to the environmental. R-410A air conditioning systems are better for the ozone layer and will eventually be the norm in all homes once R-22 systems are successfully phased out.
But the thought of R-22 conversion costs might be the thing stopping you from making the switch, which is understandable. However, knowing the extent of R-22 conversion costs could help you make a more informed decision—read on to learn more.
Do I legally have to convert my R-22 air conditioning system to an R-410A system?
Technically, no—but R-22 gas is going to be much harder to find going forward. This is because the United States has legally barred manufacturers from making new R-22 systems. The government has also outlawed the importation or manufacturing of R-22 gas in the United States. All existing R-22 AC systems are allowed to stand, but it’s going to be harder to have them serviced or refilled going forward.
Can I convert my R-22 system to an R-410A system myself?
Not unless you’re an EPA-certified HVAC technician with experience performing that specific conversion process. This is because R-22 conversions are an intricate procedure that involves the complete removal of R-22, which is a harsh chemical gas. It’s better to leave a tricky operation like this to the certified professionals.
How will I know whether I should have my air conditioner converted or replaced?
This could be a matter of personal preference or budgetary concerns, but as a general rule of thumb, if you have an R-22 HVAC system that is eight years or older, you might be better off having it replaced with an R-410A system. This is because AC units typically last between 10 and 12 years, so paying to have your system converted at the end of its lifespan doesn’t make much fiscal sense.
What does the R-22 conversion process entail?
It is an involved, multi-step practice that will begin by having an HVAC technician remove all traces of R-22. The technician will “flush” the system several times to ensure all the R-22 is gone. The technician will then replace the accumulator, compressor and expansion valve with parts that can tolerate the R-410A gas. The professional may or may not have to install a new refrigerant line set. The tech will then recharge the AC system with R-410A and finish the conversion by testing it extensively.
How much will an R-22 to R-410A conversion cost?
The actual cost will depend on many things, including where you live, but most of the time R-22 conversions start at around $2,000 and go up from there. The higher end of that range is somewhere around $4,500 to $4,600. This is because of the necessary parts, products, expertise and labor required for an R-22 conversion. For context, a new air conditioner installation costs between $4,600 and $9,000.
Call for your R-22 conversion today
Now that you know the range of R-22 conversion costs, give us a call at American Refrigeration Inc. Our EPA-certified HVAC technicians can help you with any commercial air conditioning issues you may have, including installations, repairs and conversions.
If you’ve ever owned an older car or HVAC system, you’re probably familiar with Freon. It’s also known as R-22, and it’s a noncombustible gas that is integral to the process of air conditioning. For years, all air conditioning systems utilized R-22. But it is now being phased out due to environmental concerns.
This means there are many R-22 conversions happening around the United States. People are switching their air conditioning systems over from R-22 to R-410A, which is also known as Puron. Below we’ll take a look at the benefits of R-22 conversions and why using R-410A refrigerant is superior.
It’s the law
There has already been an initial wave of R-22 conversions, and there will likely be many more in the coming years. This is because, as of the year 2020, R-22 cannot be manufactured or imported into the United States. That doesn’t mean that everyone must rip out their air conditioners that currently use R-22, just that no new air conditioning systems using Freon will be manufactured in the U.S.
More cost-effective
Performing an R-22 conversion to R-410A could likely save you money in the long run. This is because, due to supply and demand, the cost of R-22 will surely go up. This is because it’s about to become scarcer. This is happening due to the laws mentioned above going into effect. Installing an HVAC system that uses R-410A means the technology you’re using will be newer, and the parts themselves should last longer than an outdated R-22-based system.
Better efficiency
In the same vein, an R-410A system does a better job of absorbing and emitting heat than an older R-22 system does. This, combined with the better equipment and technology, means it will run more efficiently than an R-22 system. There’s also a bit of a ceiling when it comes to an R-22 system’s seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). Most R-22 systems have a hard time getting above a 13 SEER rating, while R-410A systems can easily reach a 14.5 SEER rating or higher.
Saving the environment
This is the main reason the government looked to phase out R-22. When it leaks, the gas can do significant damage to the planet’s air quality and ozone layer. With so many millions of people using R-22 for various applications, continuing its use was unsustainable.
R-410A is still a chemical gas compound, but it’s not nearly as harmful to the earth’s ozone layer as Freon is. While it’s true that R-410A is not perfect, it’s the best material currently available to use in air conditioning systems. Someday an even safer gas might be discovered to replace R-410A, but until then you can confidently deploy it in your home knowing that it’s safe, legal and can be serviced for a reasonable price.
Call for your HVAC services today
Whether you require R-22 conversions or other types of HVAC services, give us a call at American Refrigeration Inc. We offer a plethora of commercial HVAC services, including HVAC installation, repair, commercial refrigeration and parts distribution.
