You arrive at your cold room and hear the fans 

hirring. Lights are on and the unit appears healthy. But the room is warm and your stock in danger. It’s a stressful situation and commoner than you think. The causes are often simple to identify. This guide explains why your cold room is running but not cooling, and what to inspect for.

 First Check Your Stock

The most important thing is to make sure your stock is not at immediate risk. Check the temperature with a probe and if there is any at risk stock move it to alternative storage if possible. Keep the doors closed to keep the cool air in.Once you’re sure your stock is secure you can begin finding the cause.

Cause 1: Dirty Condenser Coils

The condenser is the external unit which expels heat from the system. Over time dirt, dust, leaves, and grease can build up on the coils reducing their efficiency.A dirty condenser is bad news because it reduces the unit’s ability to expel heat. The unit will run constantly with little effect. You can often clear this blockage by cleaning the coils and ask your engineer to clean them as a matter of course on each service.

 Cause 2: Ice on the Evaporator

The evapopator is the internal coil which absorbs heat from the room. If there is a thick layer of ice covering the coil then the fans will struggle to expel the warm air.Switch off the unit and allow the ice to thaw naturally then call a professional engineer to inspect your system.

 Cause 3: Low Refrigerant Gas

The gas circulating through your system is what carries the heat away. If there is a leak then your system will struggle to reach the desired temperature.There are a number of signs that indicate this type of fault. You may notice a hissing noise from the pipes or see ice forming on them. You may also notice that the room is taking longer than normal to cool. A refrigerant leak should always be dealt with by an approved engineer as it is illegal to handle under UK law. Only engineers with F-Gas Qualification can legally deal with refrigerant gas.

 Cause 4: A Failing Compressor

The compresser is like the heart of the system, it regulates the gas which circulates heat around your building. If the compressor is failing the unit will continue running without providing the required cooling under pressure.You may notice strange noises coming from the unit or heat coming from the body of the unit itself. The compressor could also cause the unit to switch off and on repeatedly. Compressor problems should always be left to a professional as it’s a fault that requires extensive knowledge of refrigeration systems. Ask for a clear breakdown of costs that compare the cost of repair against the cost of replacement.

Cause 5: Faulty Fans

The fans are responsible for moving air across the coil and distributing it around the room. If one of the fans has failed then you room will start to see large fluctuations in temperature.It’s not unusual to have one fan working and another not. The faulty fan motor will need replacing to prevent hot spots forming within the room. Fortunately fan motors are a common spare part and most good companies will have replacements in stock to repair this fault on the first visit.

 Cause 6: Wrong Controller Settings

It might seem unlikely but the problem could be as simple as the controller being set incorrectly. The controller tells the unit when to switch on and off and an incorrect setting can be enough to stop the unit from cooling.Check the temperature in the display doesn’t show a higher temperature than expected, and that no-one has inadvertently changed the settings.

cause 7: Leaking Door Seals

Warm air is constantly getting into your cold room through the seals around the doors. This puts additional strain on your system and even if everything else is working correctly, the unit will have to work harder.Check for any gaps on the edges and any tears or ice on the door frame. New door seals are relatively cheap and can make a huge difference to the performance of your system

 Cause 8: Overloaded / Blocked Room

A cold room packed right to the ceiling will struggle to provide the required levels of cooling. Having boxes directly in front of the fan or air outlet will restrict the cooling capacity of the room. Storing warm goods inside your cold room will greatly reduce the units’ cooling ability.Leave space around the perimeter of the room so the fans can draw the hot air away and avoid storing warm goods inside.

 Cause 9: Damaged Panels

The panels of the cold room help to retain the cool air within the unit. If there is damage to internal paneling or it has become damp it can transfer heat through the walls putting additional strain on the refrigeration unit.Small areas of damage can be repaired using cold room repair kits. Large areas of damage or wet foams may need to have the whole set of panels replaced.

 Simple Checks You Can Perform

• There are a few checks that are safe for anyone to carry out.
•  Check the controller setting
•  Check the door seals are not leaking
•  Make sure the fans are running
•  Look for any signs of ice formation on the unit
• Never open up the unit or try and bleed the gas out of the system.

When To Call An Engineer

If these simple checks have not resolved the problem you may need to call an engineer. A good cold room repair company will inspect the system and look for the root cause of the problem.

In the event of an emergency you should consider cold room emergency cooling support  which can reach you quickly to avoid loss of goods.

How To Choose The Right Company

It’s important to choose a company that you can trust. Ask to speak with engineers directly and ask whether they are F-Gas qualified Check the company is approved by trade bodies such as [Refcom]https://www.refcom.org.uk/ and ask to see a full quote before accepting any work.

Why Choose ColdTec

ColdTec has been working in the cold room industry for 15 years, and we provide a full range of industrial cooling services across the UK. Our service vans carry stock including digital controllers, fan motors and expansion valves. Many simple faults can be repaired during the first visit.

Every member of our team is F-Gas qualified, and we are also Refcom approved and ISO 9001:2015 certified. We always provide a full written quote before any work commences. We specialise in the south east of England from our base in Surbiton, but we can provide help wherever you are located across the UK.

FAQs

 Why is my cold room running all the time?

It may be working extra hard to counteract a gas leak or a dirty condenser. Check the door seals and coils. If the problem persists call an engineer.

 Can a dirty coil stop a cold room from cooling?

Yes a dirty condenser coil will struggle to expel heat from the system.

 Conclusion

A cold room that is running but not cooling could have a number of potential causes. Dirty condenser coils and ice build up are two of the most common problems, along with gas leaks and faulty fans. Leaks in the door seals and a failing compressor can also be a cause.

Check your stock first and then perform these checks. If your room still fails to cool then get in contact with our team of professionals. Quick action ensures you prevent financial loss and protects your business.

Contact Details

Name: ColdTec Cooling Service  

Phone:020 3773 1250   +442037731250

Email: info@cold-tec.co.uk

Address: Unit 7 177 Hook Road Surbiton KT6 5AR

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