If you’re calling a professional service for restaurant refrigeration repair in Eugene, OR, it’s a fair bet to assume that whatever problem you’re experiencing exceeds your ability to fix it—otherwise, why would you need to call a professional? And while you might not have any idea what the problem is or how to fix it, most service professionals are going to expect you to relay necessary information so that they can gauge the scope of the problem… and for the caller, this isn’t always easy to do.
Here at American Refrigeration, Inc., we try to help our customers feel as comfortable and as in-the-loop as possible when it comes to the uncertainties that restaurant refrigeration repair in Eugene, OR can bring with it and to that end, we’ve put together a quick guide to help you better understand the problem with your refrigeration unit and how to put what you’re experiencing into words for your refrigeration contractor to deal with. Take a look:
What seems to be the overall problem?
This may seem like a daunting question, but it’s actually quite easy if you just think about it in terms of describing what’s happening via your senses. What do you see, smell, hear or feel that will give you clues about the problem? Often this is as easy as saying, “I hear a very loud squeaking sound” or “there’s a very strange odor that’s stale, coupled with visible chunks of frost.” The more description you can give about the problem, the more a contractor is going to be able to deduce over the phone. And, you’ll be surprised at how fast a contractor can put together an accurate depiction of what’s going on with the information you relay!
How long has the problem been going on?
This is another simple question and one that can often help determine the urgency of a situation. If you’ve noticed a noise that’s become louder in recent weeks versus noticing a buildup of ice that’s been there for a day or two, it’s going to paint a picture for a contractor that can narrow down the types of services you might need.
Is the unit still working or have you shut it off?
Again, this will determine urgency much of the time. If you’ve had to shut off your cooler or freezer, it’s obviously an urgent matter and one that needs emergency services. If you’re still functioning at the steady capacity, it’s likely not an emergency, which could save you a bundle of money.
What type of unit are you dealing with?
A freezer might just be a freezer to you, but to a contractor, every unit, make and model is different. Being able to locate and read the spec panel of the refrigeration unit you’re having troubles with (usually via the instruction of the contractor) can help them deduce a potential problem before they even visit your establishment, saving you time and cost.
You may not know how to answer some of the technical questions a refrigeration contractor may ask, but being able to provide basic information goes a long way to solving your problem quickly and with minimal headaches along the way. If you’re confused and agitated by the prospect of restaurant refrigeration repair in Eugene, OR, just remember to take it slow and cover the basics—often, this is all you’ll need to help ensure a quick, quality fix.
Have you ever forgotten to lock your front door in the evening and woken up to find that it was unlocked the entire night? The momentary feeling of panic that we feel and the quick promise we make to ourselves to always and forever make sure that we don’t forget again are common, but they don’t erase the fact that something may have happened that was easily preventable.
Now, while protecting your commercial walk in cooler in Eugene, OR might not be equivalent to protecting your home, it should be noted that remembering to take the appropriate measures to make sure both are safe and sound at the end of the day are roughly the same, with one caveat: your cooler can and should tell you when you’ve forgotten to secure it!
Modern commercial coolers and freezers generally have built in mechanisms that allow them to alert you to issues before they become full blown problems, and making sure that these mechanisms are in place and operating properly is the first step to avoiding that feeling of dread you might experience when you realize the next day that your cooler has spend the night unsecured!
Take a look at some of the standard safety and alert features that you’re likely to find on your commercial walk in cooler in Eugene, OR and why they’re important to keep up on during routine maintenance and inspections:
Thermostat alert: When you open your cooler or freezer, there’s more than likely going to be a thermostat displayed big and bold somewhere, so that you’re aware of the precise temperature in the unit at any given time. If a malfunction occurs and the temperature drops or rises too much, your thermostat should read the change and send an alert to you. Depending on the unit you might find this alert comes in the form of a flashing light, a beeping noise, a ping or even an email!
Door ajar alert: We’ve all done it: forgotten to shut the door all the way and left it cracked with the intention of going back to it later. Well, for a cooler or freezer, this could be a death sentence and one that affects everything within the unit. One such mechanism that can alert you to your door being improperly secured is the door ajar alert. This can read the pressure in the cooler, the latch or even the light to alert you to a door that’s in danger of compromising the interior of the unit.
Component failure: In many modern commercial walk in coolers in Eugene, OR, there are actually sensors built into specific components of the system in case they fail. If a diagnostic reading of a specific component fails, an alert is sent out in much the same way a thermostat alert is, giving you ample time to act on the problem before it becomes a mess.
Have your failsafe mechanisms inspected as you have your commercial walk in cooler in Eugene, OR inspected and you’ll find that in the event of a problem, you’re being notified right away!
If you’ve ever hired a service for maintenance of your commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR, you know that there are a lot of different components involved. But some business owners might wonder whether maintenance is really worth the money they would have to pay. Here at American Refrigeration Inc, we know that regular maintenance can make all the difference between a smoothly operating, long-lasting HVAC system and a poorly working, easily damaged one. We find ourselves often getting asked about the benefits from potential customers, so we thought we’d lay it all out for anyone who is interested. Here’s an overview of reasons why regular maintenance is good for commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR.
Lower bills: Yes, paying upfront for maintenance of commercial HVAC in Eugene, OR may cost more than you were planning to spend at once. But because maintenance keeps your system running smoothly and efficiently, you’ll soon see the different in your monthly utility bills. When you run a business, any long-term savings are worth pursuing. Regular HVAC maintenance makes for easily attainable savings.
Fewer emergency repairs: When your HVAC unit is regularly serviced, you bring down the chance that you’ll need emergency repairs for your heater, AC or ventilation system. Emergency repairs tend to cost more money, and they can render your business temporarily cut off from customers. In this case, preventative service is definitely the better option.
Cleaner air: Your ventilation system removes allergens, bacteria and other foreign particles from your air stream. But when that system isn’t properly cleaned and cared for, it becomes less effective. That means the air that you, your employees and your customers breathe could be off-putting and even potentially harmful. Keep everyone in your business safer by having your ventilation system routinely serviced.
Longer lasting: Just as with any other appliance, machine or tool, the better you care for your HVAC unit, the longer it’s likely to last. The last thing your business needs is the unexpected cost and inconvenience of replacing an entire AC unit or heater. Allotting for routine maintenance in your budget will keep your HVAC system running stronger and longer.
Warranties: If a part of your HVAC system gives out before your warranty is up, you won’t have to pay as much to replace it. Don’t be the sucker who waited a month too long to notice a problem with his AC or heater. Having someone regularly inspect your HVAC unit will alert you to problems sooner, giving you a better chance to take advantage of your warranty if you need to.
Environment: And last but not least, we have the fact that a cleaner, more efficient HVAC system is better for the environment. This may not benefit you much personally, but it is a nice plus on top of all these other benefits.
Whatever reasons mean the most to you when you decide to have your HVAC system routinely serviced, we hope you’ll trust American Refrigeration Inc for the job. We look forward to hearing from you.
If you run a hotel, restaurant or bar in Eugene, OR, ice machine repairs are likely a very familiar concept. But knowing more about how ice machines work and what common problems you’re likely to encounter with them will help you run your business more smoothly. Just knowing the basic signs of different malfunctions, and how professionals deal with them, will save you time and money when you’re in the thick of it. Here’s a rundown of five common ice machine repairs that your Eugene, OR business will benefit from knowing about.
Low water flow: Whether your water supply has been compromised or your water filter is clogged, a lower than normal flow of water can easily bring your ice machine’s ice production to a standstill. When this is the problem, professionals will easily locate it and take the necessary steps to improve the water flow to the ice machine. However, a low flow could turn out to be a much bigger problem for your business than simple slowness.
Leaks: When your ice machine has a leaky inlet water valve, ice cubes will tend to be larger than normal. This may not sound like much of a problem; after all, bigger ice cubes might even be better ice cubes. But eventually, the larger ice cubes will likely get stuck in the line of production and stall the entire machine. Your ice machine produces ice cubes of a certain size for a reason, so if you notice your ice cubes are getting noticeably bigger, unplug your ice machine and have a professional come inspect it for possible leaks.
High water temperature: If the water coming into your ice machine is hotter than 90 degrees, it will likely take longer to freeze and stall your ice production. This problem usually isn’t an issue with your ice machine at all, as the water is already hot when it reaches the ice machine. Typically high water temperature is caused by another appliance, such as a dishwasher, malfunctioning and putting hot water into the cold water line. If you notice your ice machine taking longer to produce ice cubes, ask your maintenance professional to take a look at the other appliances in your kitchen.
High room temperature: Here’s another problem with temperature, but this time it’s likely even more easily controlled than water temperature. If the room temperature is above 95 degrees, your ice machine will likely give out from being overworked. As 95 degrees is way too hot for working conditions anyway, this will likely only happen if your air conditioner gives out during a hot summer day. If that misfortune does occur, try to remember to unplug your ice machine before serious damage occurs.
Buildup: Finally, general buildup of ice or minerals on the evaporator plate or any other part of your ice machine will eventually cause malfunctions. Having your ice machine regularly cleaned and serviced is an easy way to prevent this problem from ever happening.
If you have questions about your ice machine or need repair or maintenance services, call the team at American Refrigeration Inc today.
When faced with the prospect of an air conditioning system that’s not working properly or maybe not even at all, commercial building owners tend to panic and for good reason: if a system this large is malfunctioning, it’s not going to be easy nor cheap to fix most of the time. And, before a problem can even be fixed, the scope and the source of the issue need to be thoroughly determined. For this, the insight of a professional is almost invariably required.
Defining the problem
The question of, “what’s wrong with my commercial air conditioning in Eugene, OR?” is one that has innumerable answers. Until your system has a chance to be inspected and tested, any number of dozens of issues could be lurking to hinder its functionality, which is why the first step in a professional approach is always an inspection. From the smallest parts of AC units themselves, to the ventilation systems and electrical components that regulate them, an inspection will cover every segment of your commercial AC system to make sure that a problem can be narrowed down and remedied completely.
Once a problem area or symptoms have been defined, the question of what’s ailing your system becomes a bit clearer. If the problem is an electrical one versus a mechanical one, for example, the path to a sustainable solution becomes that much clearer and parameters can be defined as to devising an appropriate solution. An HVAC professional will then be able to route the problem down to its core, distinguishing symptoms from the initial problem.
Problem versus symptom
Distinguishing symptoms from the real issue is an important facet to understand when it comes to repairing commercial air conditioning in Eugene, OR because, like treating illnesses in the human body, treating the symptoms of a bigger problem does nothing to solve the creator of these problems. HVAC professionals know this all too well and will make sure that the true problem is identified based on symptoms and that you’re not left with the same problem lurking out of sight when they’re finished.
Sustainable solutions
When all is said and done, the answer to your questions should be presented to you in a straightforward way by your HVAC professional. If the problem is a blown fuse that’s preventing the thermostat from sensing the right air temperature, or the mechanical failure of your condenser that’s causing lackluster air production, you should know exactly what happened and why after an inspection by your HVAC partner. This is important because it gives you insight into the issue and provides a record of the repairs made to the system—something that will become important down the line.
The question of what’s wrong with your commercial air conditioning in Eugene, OR isn’t always answerable right off the bat and HVAC contractors will quickly more in for a closer inspection upon seeing certain symptoms. Remember to be patient, even when the situation is dire, and trust that the problem is being assessed to its fullest extent so that you can reap the benefits that come with a smart, sustainable solution.
