It’s the middle of the dinner rush when one of your employees comes up and says the ice machine isn’t working. Sure enough, you go to check it yourself and there is no ice. Meanwhile, there’s a long line of thirsty customers waiting to get their cold beverages. While your immediate reaction may be to pick up the phone and call for an emergency ice machine repair in Eugene, OR—and this may still wind up being what you need to do—don’t make that call just yet.
About 10 percent of the time, issues with your ice machine may not require a professional repair. By doing some quick troubleshooting yourself before you pick up the phone, you may be able to fix the problem immediately and save some time and money. Below are a few troubleshooting tips from our team at American Refrigeration Inc. that might be able to help:
Ice consumption is too high: If you are abnormally busy, your ice machine may be working just fine, but can’t quite keep up with the demand. Wait a few minutes before using the ice machine again and give it a chance to catch up. If, after a time, there’s still no ice, then there may be another problem.
The room or the water source is too warm: Ice machines are designed to slow down ice production if the surrounding air or the water coming into the machine is too warm. Try checking the temperature of the water going into the machine and/or reduce the temperature in the room to see if this will solve the problem.
The drain bin is clogged: If your drain bin has a buildup of water or is leaking, there may be something clogging the drain. Often, when cleaning the ice machine, a foreign object such as a rag or paper towel may get left behind and clog the drain.
The airflow is blocked: If there is anything stacked on or around the ice machine, it may be restricting the flow of air to the machine, which will reduce ice production.
The water supply isn’t working: If there’s not enough water going into the ice machine, it won’t be able to make enough ice. Check the water supply to make sure that it’s not turned off, leaking or blocked.
The machine is unplugged: While this may seem obvious, you’d be surprised how often ice machines are accidentally unplugged during cleaning or if the machine is bumped or moved. Check to make sure that the machine is plugged in and switched on.
While these troubleshooting tips may not always be the answer, you’ll find that one time out of 10 you’ll be able to identify the problem and fix it yourself, which can save you time and the cost of a service call. However, if the problem is beyond the scope of these troubleshooting tips, don’t hesitate to call American Refrigeration Inc. We offer 24/7 emergency ice machine repair in Eugene, OR that is both affordable and convenient!
A walk in freezer is a major investment and, like with most major investments, you want to do what you can to protect it. Whether you own a restaurant, a bar or a grocery store, you know that the daily operations of your business depend on your walk in freezer operating efficiently. At American Refrigeration Inc., we offer installation and repair services on commercial walk in coolers in Eugene, OR, so we know a thing or two about walk in cooler maintenance. Below are just a few tips from our technicians on how to keep your walk in freezer operating efficiently:
Check the gaskets regularly: Your freezer gaskets are the rubber seals that go around the door of your freezer. Over time, these gaskets can become warped and cracked. Damaged gaskets allow the cold air to escape, and your freezer will have to work harder to maintain the proper temperature. To avoid this, you should be checking your gaskets about every three months.
Check the insulation: The suction lines between the condensing unit and evaporator coil are insulated to ensure that your freezer is operating as efficiently as possible. However, the insulation can become damaged or decay over time. You should check the insulation periodically to ensure that it is in good condition.
Keep the door closed: It can be tempting to leave your freezer door propped open, especially if you find yourself going in and out a lot. While it may be annoying to have to keep reopening your freezer every few minutes, it’s actually better to keep it closed when possible. Propping your freezer open will make your freezer have to work harder to maintain the temperature, which will increase your energy bill and shorten the life of your freezer.
Clean the condensing coil: The condensing coil is where the refrigerant releases most of the heat it pulls from your freezer. You should clean the condensing coil periodically, about twice a year. If your condenser unit is located outside, you should clean it more often.
Have the electrical components checked: About twice a year, you should have a technician that services commercial walk in coolers in Eugene, OR check the electrical components of your walk in freezer. High amperage can be caused by loose wires, which will cause your unit to use more energy.
Keep the lights off: Be sure to always turn the lights off when exiting your walk in freezer. Not only do the lights inside your walk in freezer use a lot of energy themselves, but lights also produce heat, which can affect the temperature inside your freezer and make your unit work harder to maintain the right temperature.
Following these few simple tips will not only keep your unit operating efficiently and help save you money, but it will also help increase the lifespan of your freezer. For more tips like this or to learn about our services for commercial walk in coolers in Eugene, OR, call American Refrigeration Inc. today!
As providers of equipment for commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR, we have the privilege to work with a number of local wineries, servicing their unique commercial refrigeration needs. We’ve taken that knowledge and put together a short, simple guide explaining what a winery chiller is, and the role it plays in the process of making the wine you love to enjoy.
What is a winery chiller?
Winery chillers allow you to keep control over the temperature of your wine at every step of the process, most importantly during fermentation, and then during storage. Many winery chillers allow you to control the heat of each wine vessel independently, meaning you don’t need a separate setup to get your whites and reds to their own correct temperatures.
How does a winery chiller work?
It works the way all refrigeration systems do, by pumping cooled refrigerant through a closed loop. When you outfit your wine vessels with heat-exchanging jackets, the system then carries away heat from the wine to whatever specifications you set.
What happens if you don’t use a winery chiller?
All wine is made to very tight specifications, which have often been passed down for generations. Without the ability to precisely manage the temperature of the wine throughout the entire process, you’d simply be putting the wine’s profile at risk. And when you’ve built your reputation on a certain richness that comes from precise and loving attention to the winemaking process, you don’t want to risk that reputation by leaving things up to chance. When you control all other factors to such a degree, that allows the grape itself to be the star of the wine, as the only thing that changes from vintage to vintage is the flavor of the grape.
The regular change of temperature that occurs when wine is stored in unrefrigerated vessels causes the wine to absorb more of the flavor of its vessel, as the heat and cool cause expansion and contraction of the vessel, pushing the wine into its tiny pores, and then wringing it back out. This additional flavor is desirable in some wines, while highly undesirable in others.
Here at American Refrigeration Inc., we’re highly knowledgeable about the worlds of winemaking and beer brewing, and especially about their particular needs in regards to commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR. We have to be—we’re from Oregon. If you’re looking for any component for your winery or brewery, from holding tanks, to refrigeration tanks, to wine presses and fermenters, give us a call. We also perform maintenance on these products and provide installation on the products we sell, as well.
We know that what wineries and breweries do is a multifaceted process, and that this means trouble can spring up when you least expect it. That being the case, we make it our effort to perform every repair and every installation with longevity in mind, so that your interruptions will be few and far between. This is just one of the ways we’ve made a name for ourselves meeting the unique commercial refrigeration needs of Oregon’s wineries and breweries. If you’re in the wine or beer business, give American Refrigeration Inc. a call for all your commercial refrigeration needs.
Reducing the energy costs of commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR can benefit everyone. If you’re the owner of a business that’s reliant on refrigeration, such as a restaurant or a grocery store, saving money on refrigeration equipment can actually represent pretty significant savings.
By following even just one of these tips, you’ll save money on the energy costs associated with your refrigeration equipment—and they’ll save you even more money when you combine them:
Maintain your machine: Keep its evaporator and condenser coils cleaned. Keep doors to your refrigerators maintained so that, when the doors are closed, they maintain a good seal.
Upgrade your machines: Add liquid pressure amplifiers to increase your system’s overall refrigeration capacity; floating head pressure controls which allow your systems to vary their more easily without wasting energy; upgrade to higher-efficiency fan motors and compressor systems, which can save you 15 percent on your commercial refrigeration costs; and upgrade your machine’s lighting fixtures to energy-efficient bulbs, which can actually save you as much as 10 percent, especially in reach-ins.
If possible, turn off door heaters: Just doing this can save a small restaurant $75 a year, and a grocery store much more. If your doors begin to get ice and frost buildup, and this is not caused by some problem with the door’s seal, turn the heaters back on and leave them on.
Insulate lines: Insulate your suction line, so your refrigerant loses less cool and absorbs less heat as it is moved from the evaporator. This is a very affordable way of adding additional efficiency to your machines.
Check refrigerant: If there is not enough refrigerant, your compressor is working overtime, which is costing you money. Look through the sight-glass window built into the condenser where you can see the refrigerant line. If it is insufficiently full, you’ll see bubbles in the line when the refrigerant is moving. If this is the case, call an HVAC contractor or refrigeration expert.
Purchase new equipment: Obviously we’d all prefer to just maintain the machines we have rather than make an investment in new equipment. But if you upgrade to Energy Star certified commercial refrigeration equipment, you’ll save 30 percent on your refrigeration costs, right away. For business that are heavily reliant on refrigeration equipment, this can represent enormous year over year savings—especially if your current equipment is on the way out, getting less and less efficient each year. The cost of new equipment can often be offset by rebates and vouchers, so it’s worth discussing these things with your refrigeration equipment retailer.
If you’re looking for new commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR, or are simply looking for guidance on getting the most out of your current refrigeration equipment, give us a call here at American Refrigeration Inc. We have more than two decades of experience specializing in commercial refrigeration, HVAC and AC and heating repair. We’re well known for going the extra mile for our customers, and for providing the best service and the best products at the best prices. Call American Refrigeration Inc. today.
Now that the fall has finally arrived, you have probably stopped using your air conditioning system and are now relying on your furnace to keep the climate comfortable inside your business. When you reach for the thermostat dial during chilly weather, it’s important that you can rely on your furnace to begin heating your business.
Unfortunately, commercial systems don’t always behave the way we want them to or the way they should. When your furnace begins blowing cold air instead of heated air, it can be frustrating and create an uncomfortable and potentially unsafe work environment for yourself and your employees. If you are experiencing this issue, there are a few things that you can do to troubleshoot the problem and find the source before calling for commercial HVAC repair in Eugene, OR:
Change your settings: The simplest reason why your furnace might be blowing cold air is an issue with your thermostat settings. If you have your fan set to “on,” your furnace could be blowing out air without actually heating it. By changing the settings and configuring the fan to “auto” mode, it will only run when the furnace is running.
Promote airflow: Your air filter is an important component of your heating system and it helps keep the air in your business clean, but it can cause issues if it is not cared for properly. You should change your air filter on a regular basis whenever it gets dirty or clogged.
Consider necessary repairs: Issues involving your pilot light, gas supply and ducts can all contribute to an ineffective heating system. If you can’t find a straightforward reason why your furnace is blowing cold air, you should call a professional to help you with commercial HVAC repair in Eugene, OR. They will be able to find the source of the problem and administer any necessary repairs.
Ask a professional: A professional HVAC technician will likely be able to accurately diagnose an issue with your system much easier than you can. Getting professional help can save you a significant amount of effort and ensure that your system is operating effectively. It’s important that you keep your system regularly maintained to ensure that it continues to offer function and efficiency. As a business owner, it’s a good idea to have a primary service provider for your furnace and HVAC system.
If you are experiencing issues with your furnace or you simply want to make sure that it is in the best condition possible before winter hits, you can get assistance from American Refrigeration Inc. For decades, we have been providing a number of commercial refrigeration and equipment services to customers in and around Eugene and the Portland area. We can assist you with quality products and services that you can depend on for your commercial equipment needs. You can find out more about our team and our services by taking a look at our website. To schedule an appointment for commercial HVAC repair in Eugene, OR, simply call us today!
