Commercial Refrigeration Maintenance Checklist

Proper maintenance of your refrigeration equipment can increase both its life and efficiency. In restaurants about 50 percent of their energy bill is due to their refrigeration system. By doing routine maintenance you can save 5--10 percent on fridge energy costs!

Here are a few basic maintenance tips:

Clean evaporator and condensing coils. This should be done about every 30 days. A harsh chemical could be damaging to the metal surfaces so try using three parts water and one part degreaser and a soft bristle brush! Also remember to scrub the coils up and down because doing it side to side will damage them.

Clean fan blades. Cleaning the fan blades will reduce drag. Just remove the fan cover and use the same solution that you used on the coils. Make sure you rinse when you are done! Also have a technician check the fan motor every once in a while.

Lubricate door hinges. If your door does not shut properly it will cause your unit to overwork to maintain the right temperature.

Check for decay. The insulation on the suction lines between the condensing unit and the evaporator coil could begin to decay. This will cause condensation and water damage if it is not taken care of.

We also have a few tips on how to save on energy costs:

Get strip curtains for walk-ins. This will minimize the amount of hot air that is entering the unit.

Don’t stack anything around the coil. This will restrict airflow and your unit will not perform as well.

Don’t leave the door propped open for long periods of time.

These simple solutions will increase the lifetime of your refrigeration unit and it will save you money. At least once a year you should have a trained professional inspect your unit. You can count on East Coast Refrigeration to take care of this for you! Contact us at (631) 249-4556.

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