Top Trends for Supermarket Retailers

If you own or manage a grocery store, take note: Consumer demands and industry regulations are changing. As we head into the New Year, get on board with the following trends for supermarket retailers:

1. A focus on fresh. The issue isn't whether or not you offer fresh food, but it's how you advertise it. Back up your freshness claim with numbers and data. You may also want to try incorporating in-store demonstrations to engage shoppers and show off your store's fresh foods.

2. Changes to refrigerant regulations. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is continuing to phase out traditional refrigerants that many supermarkets were built on. Regulatory changes means grocery stores will have to upgrade to newer, eco-friendlier systems. Ask the experts of East Coast Refrigeration about switching to CO2 refrigeration systems.

3. Increased complexity. Consumers want more than your average grocery store. They want larger spaces, fresher food, and a cohesive brand experience. It's important to have a flexible store infrastructure -- this will allow you to adapt to shoppers' needs and preferences as they change.

You can count on us to make sure your supermarket is up-to-date and operating as efficiently as possible. Allow East Coast Refrigeration to help your grocery store navigate the trends in 2016 and beyond. Call us at 631-249-4556 to learn more.

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Industrial Refrigeration Market to Reach $33.90 Billion by 2020

In 2014, the global industrial refrigeration market was worth a whopping $22.57. That number is only expected to grow exponentially over the next five years.

According to a report from P&S Market Research, growth within the food processing industry and an increase in refrigerated warehouses in developing areas in India, China and Brazil will help bring the market to $33.90 billion in 2020.

Products such as evaporator units, industrial racks and compressors will account for a majority of the market. Emerging markets for industrial refrigeration include Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East.

Industrial refrigeration involves a combination of several mechanical and electrical parts from a variety of manufacturers. The pieces are organized into a comprehensive system engineered and installed by a service provider.

East Coast Refrigeration is a leader in the industrial and commercial refrigeration industry. We service Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, New York City, and the entire Northeastern United States. Give us a call at 631-249-4556 for an industrial refrigeration system designed for your specific needs.

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Beer Storage Temperature Guide

If you own a restaurant or bar, you probably sell quite a bit of beer. In fact, many businesses report that most of their profits come from beer sales.

But if you're not serving beer at the right temperatures, connoisseurs will immediately write you off. There's no one temperature for beer, either; it varies greatly based on type.

If you're having difficulty achieving the designated temperatures for each beer, contact East Coast Refrigeration. We can help ensure your refrigeration systems are the right temperature and consistency! 

To get in touch, give us a call today at 631-249-4556. Our design team will work together with you to specify the proper equipment needed for your bar or restaurant!

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What's Driving the Transcritical CO2 Market?

As regulations related to chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and greenhouse gases (GHGs) continue to expand, the refrigeration industry is being forced to look for eco-friendlier alternatives. Transcritical CO2 technology appears to be a viable option -- one that's energy efficient and has a low global warming potential.

 Here's what makes CO2 refrigerant preferable:

• Safe
• Clorine-free
• Non-flammable
• No ozone depletion potential
• High vapor pressure
• Thermodynamic properties change rapidly with climate variations

Here's what's driving the transcritical CO2 market: 

• Increased regulations pertaining to the usage of CFCs and GHGs
• Greater awareness about ozone depletion potential and global warming potential
• Heightened awareness about global warming

Demand is expected to be especially high in Europe and North America,. Europe has dominated the market, and will continue to, thanks to stringent governmental regulations. However, North American countries are expected to get on board as well, in favor of energy and cost-saving technologies. This trend is anticipated to take off in Australia and Japan too.

East Coast Refrigeration is at the forefront of CO2 refrigeration systems. To learn about the types we offer, give us a call at 631-249-4556. For more tips on commercial and industrial refrigeration, find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube!

Hillphoenix at the White House Industry Leader Roundtable on Sustainability

Hillphoneix, a designer and manufacturer of commercial refrigerated food display cases and application systems, attended the White House Industry Leader Roundtable on October 15, 2015.

The company's president and CEO, Paul Sindoni, joined other business leaders to discuss how commercial refrigeration manufacturers and food retailers can do their part in reducing global warming emissions and increasing energy efficiency.

"We’re proud of the progress our company and industry have made over the last year," Sindoni said in a press release. "Hillphoenix installed 50 HFC-free Advansor CO2 Booster systems in supermarkets and convenience stores — an increase of more than 220 percent. Our Close the Case initiative put doors on over 12.3 miles of open refrigerated cases and prevented approximately 87.1 million pounds of harmful emissions from going into the atmosphere. Plus, we installed the country’s first CO2 ice rinks — showcasing broader applications for our sustainable refrigeration technologies."

East Coast Refrigeration is an industrial refrigeration dealer for Hillphoenix equipment. We are experienced and factory trained on all major manufacturers and factory authorized distributors of Vogt Ice, MGR Equipment, Keith Walking Floor and Kloppenberg Ice Bins.

Ready to learn more about CO2 refrigeration? Call East Coast Refrigeration at 631-249-4556 today! Our expert technicians are happy to discuss this environmentally-friendly option with you.

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Preparing Your Restaurant for the Holidays

There is no question about it, the holiday season is a very busy time. If you are a restaurant owner, now's the time to start thinking about the extra measures needed for the surplus of customers that will be visiting your establishment throughout the season. Below we list a few tips to help ensure you are ready for the rush:

Hire extra staff— No matter the season, customers expect a restaurant to have fast and friendly service. Hiring extra staff may feel like an unnecessary added cost, but during busy times, you will find it to be very beneficial. Customers are more likely to leave happier and recommend your business to their friends and family.

Add some seasonal flare to the menu— The holiday season is the perfect time to add some fun seasonal items to your menu. Whether it’s a holiday cocktail or a new dinner entree, customers will be excited to try something different. Let your chef come up with a creation that will make your restaurant unique to all others this December.

Decorate— Nothing sets the holiday mood more than a room decorated with joyful decor or playing some seasonal tunes. Keep your customers jolly and remind them that it is truly the most wonderful time of the year!

Proactive Maintenance— Make sure all your refrigeration equipment is up-to-date and working at its best. The last thing you need is having your refrigerator fail on you during one of the busiest times of the year. Hire a professional to check all your equipment before things get busy.

At East Coast Refrigeration, we are ready to help this holiday season! To keep your equipment operating efficiently, we offer a comprehensive proactive maintenance program that meets your individual needs. Feel free to contact us at 631-249-4556.

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Common Reasons for Compressor Failure

Think of the compressor as the heart of your refrigeration system. It pumps refrigerant gas away from the evaporator and into the condenser. And just like a heart, compressors need love and attention to ensure a healthy, long life.


If you don't properly care for your commercial refrigerator's compressor, it could fail. Unfortunately, this is often the case. Let's take a look at some common reasons for compressor failure:

1. Slugging

This happens when a system's compressor delivers liquid instead of gas. Listen for a loud knocking noise, which is a good indicator of this problem. It's important to have it looked at right away; otherwise, your refrigeration system could be severely damaged.

2. Flooding 

When refrigerant is returned as droplets instead of vapor, flooding develops. This can wash oil off of bearing surfaces, causing them to wear away and overheat. The expansion device should be inspected when flooding occurs.

3. Insufficient lubrication

Compressor failure due to loss or lack of lubrication is extremely common. It can happen for a number of reasons, from flooding to insufficient oil from the start. This leads to overheating due to extreme friction.

Other common reasons for compressor failure include:

• Contamination
• Overheating
• Electrical problems

If you're unsure why your refrigeration system's compressor has failed, call up the experts of East Coast Refrigeration at 631-249-4556. We offer 24-hour emergency service -- that's right, even on weekends and holidays.

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