Protect Your Revenue and Reputation With These Tips
For many of the North and South Carolina businesses we partner with, your walk-in cooler is more than a big piece of equipment—it’s practically the heart of your operations. At local restaurants, a walk-in cooler is essential for daily food preparation, storage, and sanitation. And for businesses like breweries and agricultural facilities, your industrial food and beverage cooler is a critical part of your production process.
Put simply, when your walk-in is offline, your reputation and revenue are on the line. That’s why every business owner needs to know the early warning signs of a cooler on the brink—and who to call when it’s time for a tune-up.
When your walk-in cooler can’t take the heat, you may notice one or more of these tell-tale signs:
1.) Inconsistent temperatures
To reduce the risk of foodborne illness and maintain your food quality, your cooler should be kept below 40°F at all times for most common foods—and ideally between 35 and 38°F. Freezers are commonly kept at 0°F. If your industrial food cooler is struggling to maintain a consistent temperature, or you notice the actual temperature of the cooler is different than the number on your thermostat, it’s time for a repair. A failing thermostat, loose door seal, or compressor issue may be to blame.
2.) Excessive condensation or frost
While a small amount of moisture inside your walk-in cooler is common—especially in our humid climate—if water is pooling on the floor of your cooler, you’ve got a bigger problem on your hands. Ice sheets and excessive condensation are signs of an inefficient system or poor seal. If left unchecked, mold and mildew can begin to develop on the surfaces of your cooler, so this is a maintenance issue best addressed quickly.
3.) Strange noises
Rattling, grinding, or louder-than-usual motor noises are another common sign your walk-in cooler may be running down. If you hear a new or concerning sound coming from your motor, and especially if the motor is also hot, it’s time to schedule maintenance before the motor shuts down completely.
4.) A foul smell
A sharp, chemical-like smell coming from your walk-in cooler is another early warning sign of deeper equipment issues. This smell can indicate you have a coolant or refrigerant leak—and your system may lose its cool soon.
A faulty industrial food cooler isn’t just inconvenient—it can be costly.
When your walk-in cooler goes out, your bottom line can take a direct hit. Spoiled produce and products break your carefully balanced budget. Health and safety concerns can worry both employees and customers. Just a few days offline can translate to hundreds or thousands of dollars in lost revenue. And a faulty cooler can bump up your energy bills, especially if it’s been on the fritz for a few weeks.
Your walk-in cooler is a significant business investment, and a pivotal part of your daily operations. That’s why it’s important to prevent major repairs whenever possible, and address minor issues promptly.
Proactive maintenance is the best way to prevent a business-busting system outage.
Some expenses are inevitable. But others, like the costly consequences of walk-in cooler issues, can be avoided with routine maintenance and one call to Refrigeration Heroes at the first sign of a problem.
Just as you wouldn’t drive a car for years without dropping it off for a periodic tune-up and oil change, the best way to care for your walk-in cooler is to give it a little TLC throughout the year. Regular check-ups to calibrate your unit temperature, inspect your condensate drain, clean your condenser, and more can go a long way towards extending the life of your industrial food cooler—and your budget!
Ready to build your own preventative maintenance plan—and heroic service experience?
If you’re in need of a commercial walk-in cooler repair, or just want to keep your industrial food cooler in prime condition, Refrigeration Heroes is on call 24/7.
To learn more about our comprehensive walk-in cooler preventative maintenance plans with built-in savings, or schedule service for your business, call (864) 834-4078 in South Carolina, or (828) 688-0323 in North Carolina.
When you call, our knowledgeable HVAC and refrigeration pros will walk you through our budget-friendly plans for on-time preventative maintenance and automated peace of mind.
