Your commercial refrigeration system may be just one aspect of your entire facilities’ operations, but within this system itself are numerous parts, components and features that deserve their own degree of attention. It’s not enough to just worry about the operation of your commercial refrigeration system: you also need to be cognizant of the operation of critical components within it. This can be hard to understand—especially when it comes to worrying about parts that might operate out of sight and out of mind.
One aspect of your commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR that’s going to require attention at some point in time or another are the liquid line solenoid valves that govern them. These valves are dictated by your system’s thermostats and act to open and close as needed, to help cool the refrigeration environment they help to manage by releasing or containing liquid coolant. And, as you can very well imagine, when these components don’t work right, it’s going to cause a myriad of problems for the entire system in general.
Problems cause by faulty solenoids
The problem with solenoids—as mentioned above—is that you can’t see them to know if they’re damaged or not. Realistically, you’re going to have to pay attention to the function and behavior of your refrigeration system to become alerted to a potential solenoid issue. Some of the things you might observe include:
Variable cooling temperatures. If your thermostat is fluctuating between several degrees, cycling on and off over and over again, it could be a sign that the solenoid isn’t functioning appropriately at the request of the thermostat.
Refrigerant leaks. This happens when a solenoid is no longer able to close all the way. Liquid refrigerant is going to bypass the valve and leak out, which can cause erratic cooling or low-refrigerant level warnings within the system.
Compressor damage. A faulty solenoid is going to place a burden of operation on the compressor in your system, causing it to work harder and wear out faster.
Problems with the solenoid
Despite being enclosed within the closed loop of your commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR, liquid line solenoids are subject to a number of common issues that can hinder their performance, including:
A loss of power to the solenoid can be cause by an electrical malfunction. A short, damage circuitry or power interruptions can all affect the solenoid, causing it to freeze in the open, closed or partially-opened position is was last operating in.
Perhaps the easiest issue to identify is a dead electrical coil, which will show when the valve doesn’t function with a consistent power supply.
A leaky valve usually means that the solenoid is stuck open or partially open. This can be cause by a number of issues, but inevitably creates leakage of liquid refrigerant.
While you pay not be an expert when it comes to commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR, you can definitely observe problems as they arise within your system. Keep in mind that something like your liquid line solenoid isn’t visible, but it’s still doing a job that’s imperative to proper operation, which means it needs to be considered when it comes to servicing and maintaining your system.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
If you have ever worked with commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR, then you have probably noticed how many different—and potentially dangerous—refrigerant chemicals go into keeping your goods at the right temperature. In fact, many people find themselves wondering just how they can trust a commercial refrigeration company to safely and responsibly handle their duties. If you have ever worried about this and would like to know more about the topic, read on to learn about EPA certification and commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR.
What is EPA refrigerant certification?
As we have noted, refrigerants can be very dangerous chemicals if leaked or contained in large doses. They can also be very toxic to the environment. That is why section 608 of the U.S. Federal Clean Air Act states that all technicians who work with refrigerants need to be trained and tested on how to use them safely and responsibly. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees this certification process to ensure consistency and high standards.
How does someone earn EPA 608 certification?
A refrigeration technician earns an EPA 608 certification the same way any professional achieves any certification: by going through the proper training, studying hard and then passing a test. EPA 608 students have a choice between open and closed book tests; open book test takers need to get at least 84 percent for each section to pass, while closed book test takers need only a 72 percent per section. Different third-party organizations are certified by the EPA to administer the tests.
Are there different levels to EPA 608 certification?
Yes, there are four different levels to EPA 608 certification. Those who earn a Type 1 certification can work only on small appliances that require five pounds or less of refrigerant. Type 2 technicians can work on medium-, high- and very high-pressure appliances. Technicians who clear the test for Type 3 can only work with low-pressure appliances. Finally, universal certification exists for those who pass tests for all three types.
How will hiring an EPA certified technician help my business?
Your business relies on commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR to keep customers happy and maintain profitability. Making sure you hire someone who is EPA certified to work on your particular equipment will help ensure that your appliances receive the most effective and safe treatment. It also ensures that you will not get into any legal trouble for neglecting to properly use and store your refrigerants.
Where can I find a commercial refrigeration company that is EPA certified?
If you are looking for a commercial refrigeration company that is fully EPA certified, as well as hardworking, responsive and friendly, then you need look no further than American Refrigeration Inc. Since 1995, our team of highly skilled and fully certified workers has brought responsibility, skill and accuracy to every job we take on, and we make sure to treat our customers with kindness and respect. Get in touch with American Refrigeration Inc. today for more information about what we can do for you and your business.
There are plenty of different important attributes to look for when hiring a service provider for commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR: certification, respectful service, experience and affordability, just to name a few. But one crucial quality that sometimes gets overlooked is versatility. Here at American Refrigeration Inc., we are committed to being versatile in three key ways: through the services we offer, the brands we work with and the certification we possess. Read on to learn more about how our business offers the most services to the most customers, and how we are fully qualified to do so.
HVAC and refrigeration
There are plenty of fine businesses out there that offer quality service for commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR. The same can be said for commercial refrigeration services. But not as many businesses exist that can cater to both your refrigerator and your air conditioner.
Why does this matter? We’ll tell you why: because you are a busy business owner, and you deserve whatever will make your life a little easier. Having a business you can always call for both HVAC and refrigeration concerns takes a little pressure of your shoulders, and ensures that all of your appliances are in tip top shape.
Any brand
Some HVAC and refrigeration services take pride in working with certain brands, but in truth, that only limits what they can do for their customers. A truly versatile Eugene, OR commercial HVAC service should be able to work on a wide range of brands, because this is a sign of familiarity and significant experience.
Think about it: if a business has been around for decades, its technicians have likely worked on hundreds or thousands of customers’ HVAC equipment and appliances. This means they’ve likely seen all manner of problems on a variety of makes and models. Thanks to this variety of experiences with so many brands, versatile commercial HVAC technicians will likely have seen whatever problem your system is experiencing sometime in the past—and they’ll likely know how to handle it.
EPA certification
Any commercial refrigeration business needs to be EPA certified to handle refrigerants. But did you know that different levels exist for different appliances? You certainly don’t want to hire someone only certified to work with less than five pounds of refrigerant to fix your huge commercial freezer.
When hiring a commercial refrigeration business, asking about EPA certification is a good first step. But an even better thing to ask is which level of EPA certification the business possesses. This will give you a better idea of whether or not they are qualified (and versatile) enough to work on your equipment.
Hire the best
If you want the best, hire the most versatile. When it comes to service for your commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR, that means hiring the team at American Refrigeration Inc. We are proud to be certified to offer the most services, and to work on more brands than our competitors. Please give our experienced team a call anytime for more information.
Many commercial businesses, like restaurants, pubs and cafeterias, depend on ice to provide their patrons with safe and enjoyable service. Without ice, there would be no way to keep customers’ drinks cold on a hot summer day or to preserve food that needs to be kept cold for health purposes. If something is wrong with your business’ ice machine, it’s better to spot it early than to wait and be out of business for a few days. The following are several warning signs that you need ice machine repair in Eugene, OR:
It’s become noisy: If you own a large ice machine, it’s going to produce some noise and at times be fairly loud. However, if the sound becomes different or unusual, you may want to call a technician to evaluate your machine. When operating sounds become abnormal, it’s usually a sign that something is wrong. It’s better to fix issues quickly. The longer you ignore it, the worse it can become.
It doesn’t make ice: This is a pretty clear sign something is wrong. This may mean the machine needs cleaning, repairing of certain parts or that you may need to get an entirely new machine. Oftentimes this is caused by loose or frayed wires, so no ice can be an indicator of an electrical problem. Check the circuit breaker. If you can’t fix it that way, play it safe and call a professional.
It leaks: This is probably the most common problem when it comes to commercial ice machines. Look out for puddles of water around the ice machine or big chunks of ice being produced. A leak can be caused by a broken water line in the unit or a component that is leaking internally. Whether it’s a big or small leak, it’s a problem. Call a professional to take a look before someone slips and falls on those big puddles of water.
It takes a while to make ice: If the ice isn’t being produced as fast as it used to, that’s a red flag. A slower production rate is usually caused by one of two things, either warm water or low water flow. When the water is too warm, the machine won’t produce enough ice, at least not as quickly as you would like. A low water flow also means the production rate will slow down. It may be a simple fix, like unplugging a clog in the water filter, but it’s always in your company’s best interest to have a professional come check it out.
The ice tastes odd: This should never be a problem, especially if you’re serving ice to your customers. If the ice tastes strange, it’s probably because there’s a dirt or mold issue, or something even worse within the ice machine. It’s vital that you contact a technician if your ice starts to taste abnormal. Don’t risk the safety of your customers.
Your ice machine should always be inspected at least once or twice a year. Outside of those checks, if any of these signs start to occur, look for ice machine repair in Eugene, OR. You can contact American Refrigeration Inc. for all of your ice machine needs.
