One of the most common questions we receive from clients in Eugene, OR is how much they can expect to pay in their monthly energy bills to run a walk-in cooler or freezer. One reason people ask this is that they want to know if their system is running as efficiently as it should be, or if they’re paying too much for what it should take to run the system effectively.
The operational costs you can expect to incur for running a walk-in cooler or freezer will depend on a variety of factors, the biggest of which is the size of the unit.
For example, a 6’ x 6’ cooler will likely cost you around $66 per month, while a 10’ x 10’ unit will likely cost you around $140. A 6’ x 6’ freezer typically costs around $228, while a 10’ x 10’ will usually be close to $350. These numbers are based on a $.0999 kilowatt hour cost, the average cost of commercial electricity in the United States according to the Energy Information Administration.
But again, there are a number of factors that will go into determining how much you can expect to pay. Some of these factors include:
Insulation: Walk-in units that have higher quality insulation will not cost quite as much to run, because better air retention means a lower need to have to constantly run the unit. This cuts down on the amount of energy expended on cooling.
Inside and outside temperature: The lower you set the temperature, the more energy will be required to keep it at that temperature. In addition, if the walk-in is located in an area with a higher temperature, it’s likely the unit will need to run more frequently to stay cool on the inside.
Frequency of doors opening: The more often doors need to open, the more air will leak out, causing the unit to run more and expend more energy. It’s important to be as efficient as possible with trips in and out of the unit and to make sure the door is closed as often as possible to avoid wasted energy.
Cost of electricity: The cost of electricity varies from region to region. Keep in mind that the above estimates are national averages—your experience could vary widely depending on where your business is located.
The age of the unit: The older a walk-in cooler or freezer gets, the less efficient it will become. In addition, older units simply weren’t designed in the first place to the same standards of efficiency that newer units are able to achieve.
Products: The types of products stored in the unit can also make a difference. What are the weights and temperatures of those products? Heavier products or products that enter warm are going to take more energy to get cold.
These are just a few examples of the issues to consider when determining the costs of running a walk-in cooler or freezer in Eugene, OR. Contact American Refrigeration Inc. for more information or to schedule service.
The walk-in freezer is one of the most important pieces of infrastructure in any commercial kitchen. If you’ve started to experience any problems with yours, it’s important to be proactive about getting professional assistance to get it back up and running as quickly as possible so you can avoid losing inventory and having to deal with inefficient operations.
So how do you know if there’s something wrong with your walk-in freezer in Eugene, OR? Here are just a few examples of some of the most common walk-in freezer issues you should know about:
Temperature is not cold enough: Are you having problems getting your freezer to, well, freeze? There are several potential causes of this common problem. It could be that your freezer is overloaded with product, which would increase the burden on the cooling system. It could also be that you have frost buildup on the evaporator, which is causing the interior to warm up. Or, if you have issues with doors being left open for too long, or with air leaks around the edges, this could also be a cause of temperatures running too high. A professional will quickly be able to identify the problem.
No power: Your first step when you lose power to your walk-in freezer should always be to check the circuit breaker or fuse that controls it. If that’s not the issue, it could be a problem with wiring or a control board, either of which are issues that should be left to a professional to deal with.
Drain pan problems: Do you see ice in the drain pan? If so, this could indicate a clogged drain line or a defective heater, as ice buildup in the drain pan is a common result of both of those problems. Again, this is an issue you should have repaired by a professional, and quickly, before your inventory is lost.
Other ice buildup: Ice can build up in other areas than the drain pan. While you might think ice buildup is natural in a freezer, this actually means there’s too much moisture. The ice buildup can result in freezer burn on your product, or cause other issues inside the freezer that can damage the system. Ice buildups on the air vent or evaporator coils can be especially problematic, so if you see these issues forming inside your walk-in freezer, it’s important to have a professional appliance repair technician come out and resolve the issue.
Gasket or door issues: Have you been having issues with your gaskets or doors? Perhaps it’s become difficult for you to reliably close the door all the way, or you’ve seen signs of an air leak. This could be an issue with worn or damaged gaskets, or with a damaged seal around the door that needs to be replaced.
For more information about some of the most common problems that occur inside walk-in freezers in Eugene, OR, we encourage you to reach out to the team at American Refrigeration Inc. with your questions.
Walk-in coolers are designed to keep perishable foods cold and fresh without freezing them. However, there are a lot of different ideas about what temperature is ideal for walk-in coolers. So, how cold should a walk-in cooler be in Eugene, OR? Keep reading to learn more about how to properly set the temperature of your walk-in cooler and how to handle problems with over-cooling and other temperature-related issues.
How cold should a walk-in cooler be in Eugene, OR?
If you’re wondering how cold your walk-in cooler should be in Eugene, OR, it depends on what you’re trying to keep cool. It’s important to consider what kind of products are in your cooler when determining how to calibrate your cooler. However, no matter what’s in your cooler, the temperature should be somewhere between 35 and 45°F. Anything below that range has the potential to freeze your products, and that can cause problems for some perishable items. Above that range, your cooler might not be able to keep your items sufficiently fresh.
Why it’s important to keep temperatures in the right range
A lot of people err on the cooler side of the temperature range to avoid causing perishable items to spoil, but it’s important to keep the temperature well above freezing. Allowing food in a cooler to freeze can cause a lot of quality problems. If dairy, vegetables or fruits are frozen while being stored in a walk-in cooler, they might not taste quite right after they’ve thawed. Freezing can also affect the texture of these foods. With that in mind, it’s best to avoid setting the temperature of your cooler any lower than 35°.
Dealing with a malfunctioning cooler
Even the best walk-in coolers are susceptible to mechanical problems. Sometimes, walk-in coolers have issues with their temperature sensors and controls that prevent users from effectively calibrating or controlling cooling temperatures. If something goes wrong with the thermometer or temperature control system in your cooler, you might be left with an over-freezing problem.
If your cooler is freezing its contents or there are other problems with your walk-in cooler, the best thing to do is contact a professional right away. A technician specializing in walk-in cooler repairs can provide the services necessary to get your equipment back up and running and prevent future problems with freezing and over-cooling. Even if there isn’t anything wrong with your cooler, it’s still a good idea to work with a technician for routine inspections and service appointments. Regular service will improve your cooler’s performance, longevity and efficiency.
Professional walk-in cooler repairs
If you’re looking for help with a malfunctioning walk-in cooler in Eugene, OR, reach out to American Refrigeration Inc. Since 1995, we have been providing comprehensive heating, cooling, ventilation and refrigeration services to commercial customers throughout our area. In addition to our standard repair and maintenance services, we also provide 24/7 emergency service to ensure you get the help you need, whenever you need it. Give us a call to schedule a service appointment and find out more about everything we have to offer.
Lots of businesses use walk-in coolers to keep perishable foods fresh and keep bottled beverages cool for customers. No matter what kind of walk-in cooler you have or what you use it for, it’s important to make sure it stays in the best condition possible. In addition to routine maintenance service and inspections, it’s crucial to be proactive about walk-in cooler repair in Eugene, OR to keep your equipment in good working order for years to come.
Why it’s important to have your cooler repaired
There are a lot of reasons why it’s important to get walk-in cooler repair in Eugene. One of the most important things to keep in mind is the fact that perishable items are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. If temperatures in your cooler rise too high, you might have to throw out your entire inventory of perishable items to avoid selling foods that have spoiled.
If your cooler is broken for too long, you might have to throw your inventory away, which means you could be wasting products and money. In addition, cooler repairs will keep your facility compliant. Keeping coolers running effectively is important for complying with health codes and making sure your facility meets all the relevant regulatory standards.
What to expect from walk-in cooler repair
Understanding what’s involved in an appointment for walk-in cooler repair in Eugene, OR can help you feel more prepared for this kind of service. At the beginning of your appointment, the technician will inspect your system and ask questions about its performance. This is the time to talk about any specific concerns you’re having with your cooler and point out any issues the technician should know about. After the inspection, your technician will give you more information about any problems with your walk-in cooler that must be repaired to get it working properly again.
Once your technician talks to you about the repairs required to fix your walk-in cooler, make sure you understand all the recommendations. Ask as many questions as you need to so you fully understand all the services the technician wants to perform to repair your cooler. Next, make sure to ask for a written quote to find out how much it will cost to get your cooler repaired.
Finally, don’t wait around to get walk-in cooler repairs. The longer you wait for repairs, the more likely it is that your products will go bad and the more difficult it will be for you to safely store your inventory.
Schedule walk-in cooler repair in Eugene, OR
For professional walk-in cooler repair in Eugene, OR, reach out to American Refrigeration Inc. We offer comprehensive services for commercial clients throughout the area, including HVAC and refrigerator maintenance, repairs and installation. If you’re concerned about the functionality of your cooler, our team will provide an in-depth inspection to assess its condition and make recommendations for maintenance and repair services. Give us a call today to find out more about what we have to offer and to schedule an appointment with our team.
The buildup of ice is one of the most common problems people have to deal with when managing a walk-in freezer. Icing not only makes it more difficult for the machinery to operate efficiently, but it could also create excess humidity and moisture that affects the freshness of the food being stored inside the freezer.
If you’re going to be able to perform high-quality walk-in freezer repair in Eugene, OR for an icing problem, it’s important that you understand why icing happens inside these freezers.
The main issue in most cases is that somehow, warm, humid air is getting into your walk-in freezer. The combination of this air leak with the cold ambient air temperatures in the freezer makes for a buildup of ice. This could be a result of the door not being sealed properly due to damaged or worn-down gaskets—an improper seal makes it easy for air to enter through the door. Faulty hinges could be preventing the door from closing properly, and employees might be leaving freezer doors open while restocking items, letting in large amounts of air that make problems with icing significantly more likely.
It’s also important to consider where in the freezer the icing is at its worst. For example, ice buildup near an evaporator coil could be a result of failures with the system fan delay relays. This is a bit more difficult of an issue to resolve, and will likely require the service of a professional technician. There might also be issues with drain lines becoming clogged, which could cause water to pool near the drain and freeze up.
The final potential problem that could cause your walk-in freezer to have icing issues could be aging insulation. Insulation panels can actually start to accumulate ice as they get old, so if your freezer is more than 10 years old, there’s a chance it’s no longer being insulated as effectively.
Preventing icing from becoming a major issue with your freezer
It’s important to prevent ice buildups in your freezer so you do not damage the food you’re storing or any of the important mechanical systems that help your freezer run. By preventing icing, you’ll also save quite a bit of money over time on energy, because your freezer won’t have to work as hard to compete with the excess warmth and humidity that’s getting into it.
You should, therefore, regularly check all door gaskets, hardware and seals to make sure that you don’t have an air leak around the door edges. Check the drains in the floor to make sure they’re not backed up, and make sure your insulation panels are in good condition. Make any necessary repairs as they arise to prevent these issues from becoming more significant and inconvenient than they need to be.
Having an ongoing maintenance schedule with your walk-in freezer is another great way to make sure it stays in good condition. For more information about setting up regular appointments for walk-in freezer repair in Eugene, OR, contact American Refrigeration Inc. today.
