A cold room does not only create cold air, it removes the heat from the inside and deposits it to the outside. That heat needs somewhere to go and without a good airflow circulating around

 your equipment this could be causing the unit to work harder. The unit then costs more to run and in some cases can cause it to stop cooling completely. Good industrial cooling services hwill always check the ventilation first. The guide below uses simple language to explain why.

How refrigeration systems use air

A cooling system always has two parts the evaporator coil on the inside that sucks the heat out of the room and the condenser on the outside which expels this heat into the air. The fans create an airflow around both coils and without a good volume on either side the system will fail to remove the heat from the room. Warm air builds up around the condenser and the cold air is unable to properly circulate around the room.

 What happens when the ventilation is poor?

A unit with a poor airflow will be running for long amounts of time with little or no effect. The compressor will be working overtime, putting extra strain on itself. This means parts will wear out quicker and there is a bigger chance of the unit failing completely without warning. Watch out for these signs that tell you the unit is struggling:

•  The room is taking more time than usual cool
•  The unit is running all the time with little or no break
•  The body of the unit is extremely hot to the touch
•  There are unusual sounds coming from the compressor
•  Bills for energy are rising with no obvious reason
•  Ventilation around the condenser
•  Dirt and grime on the coils

Dirt and dust along with leaves and oil will build up on the condenser coil over time and can severely restrict the airflow. This restricts the ability for the unit to remove the heat making the unit run constantly with little or no effect. As with all the advice in this article ask your engineer to clean the coils when they are due for a service. A clean coil means a good airflow.

 Airflow inside the cold room

The fans within the system will suck warm air over the evaporator coil and blow cold air into the room but if the room is full to the brim with stock it is impossible for the fans to move the warm air efficiently. Boxes placed in front of the fans or outlets will create warm pockets that can ruin stock. It is important to leave space between the walls and shelves or pallets and the fans. Keep the stock off the floor and avoid putting warm goods within the cold room as they will add extra heat.

Faulty fans

When a fan fails the temperature within the room will be erratic and cause hot spots. It is not uncommon to find that one fan is running and the second has failed completely. A faulty fan motor will require replacement to stop hot spots forming and should be checked out by an engineer. Most companies will have a supply of fan motors within their workshop and can often be fitted during the first service call. Make sure all the fans are spinning when you next visit the room.

Faulty door seals and panels

Old door seals can leak warm air into the room all day every day and place extra stress on the unit. Make sure all the door edges are not damaged or worn and that they do not let in warm air. Check the frames of the doors for any ice forming. Replacement door seals are cheap and can be fitted quickly. If the panels are damaged they can also allow heat in and small repairs can be made with a repair kit. If the panel is extensively damaged or the insulation is wet this may need to be replaced completely.

 Check the controller

It is not uncommon for a system to  ail due to a setting on the controller being changed. Make sure the display is showing the correct temperature and that some one has not changed the settings by accident. This is a quick and easy check to do and can often save you a service call.

 Simple checks anyone can do

•  Make sure the display on the controller is showing the correct temperature.
•  Make sure the fans are all spinning.
•  Look out for any ice deposits on the unit.
• Make sure nothing is blocking the outlet from the fans or the condenser.
• Never open the unit or attempt to release gas from the unit. Low gas and faults within the compressor need to be checked by a professional. A qualified F-Gas engineer is the only person legally able to handle gas under UK law.

 When To Call An Engineer

If you have completed the checks listed above and the system is still failing to cool you need to call a professional. If the problems are likely to cause damage, ask for cold room repair to be booked in advance. You may need to check the temperature of your goods with a probe to make sure they are not being spoiled. If this is the case you may want to move the goods to other storage if you can and make sure the doors are kept closed. You can also call for cold room emergency cooling support to be contacted as soon as possible.

 How To Choose The Right Company

• Use this checklist when choosing a company to work with:
•  The engineers should be F-Gas qualified 
•  Check for companies that are approved by Refcom UK 
•  Make sure to ask for a full written quote before any work commences.
•  Ask the company if the vans carry common parts for first visit repairs.

 Why Choose ColdTec

ColdTec has been operating within the cold room industry for 15 years and offers a wide range of industrial cooling services https://cold-tec.co.uk/ across the UK. The vans carry digital controllers, fan motors and expansion valves and many repairs can be made on the first visit. All the engineers are F-Gas qualified and we are Refcom approved and ISO 9001:2015 accredited. We always provide a full written quote before any work is carried out. We are based in Surbiton and offer our services mainly in the south east of England but we can travel to most areas within the UK.

 FAQs

Why is my cold room running but not cooling?

Dirt on the coils and ice on the evaporator are some of the most common reasons for this problem. Gas leaks and faulty fans can also prevent cooling. Poor ventilation is another common problem.

 Can poor airflow damage my equipment?

Yes. Hot compressors are created and the unit has to work harder than normal. This puts extra strain on parts and causes them to wear out quicker.

Name: ColdTec Cooling Service

Phone: 020 3773 1250 tel:+442037731250

Email: info@cold-tec.co.uk

Address: Unit 7 177 Hook Road Surbiton KT6 5AR

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