If you own a commercial restaurant, you already know how important your commercial refrigerator is when it comes to serving quality products. Commercial refrigerators are designed to stand the test of time, but sometimes, unexpected complications might occur. Instead of panicking, you should be mentally prepared for such situations to help troubleshoot the problem or hire a commercial refrigerator repair expert to get the unit running back to normal. Let’s take a look at what you should do if your commercial refrigerator is facing a temperature problem along with the reasons that might be causing it.

Dirty Condenser Coils

Commercial refrigerators come with two types of coils: evaporator and condenser coils. These coils are designed to help the refrigerator cool down by dissipating heat. With time, these coils tend to become layered with dirt and dust, impeding their ability to dispense heat.

As a result, the coils tend to heat up as well causing the refrigerator’s temperature to go down. Surprisingly, many commercial business owners assume it is difficult to inspect and maintain the coils. All you need is a cleaning agent and a soft brush to remove the accumulation.

If the problem is ignored, it might damage other components as well. Plus, the coils themselves aren’t cheap either. This is why it is important to inspect the coils because if they are clogged with dust, the refrigerator’s performance will take a hit. Consult the user manual and follow the instructions to thoroughly clean them.

Faulty Doors

Faulty doors are another common reason commercial refrigerators tend to lose their temperature. The reason is that the doors have sealants and gaskets made of rubber and plastic. With time and due to the constant opening and closing of the doors, the gaskets and seals tend to weaken.

Fortunately, determining if the seals and gaskets are the problem is easy. All you need to do is to look for cracks and damage on the seals. If there is damage or the seals are too stiff, replace them by contacting the manufacturer and getting the exact replacement.

But keep in mind that the doors might not close properly due to other reasons as well like dirty seals or gaskets. Therefore, keep the doors of the refrigerator clean so that they close properly. If these problems are not cause of the door problems, it may be a faulty hinge. You will need to get the issue fixed immediately as it won’t let the refrigerator reach its required temperature.

Faulty Thermostat

Even though it is rare for thermostats to malfunction, especially in newer units, it could be an issue in older units. The thermostat of the commercial refrigerator keeps a check on the outdoor temperature and maintains the indoor temperature accordingly.

If the thermostat happens to malfunction for any reason, it could cause the refrigerator to lose its temperature. If your commercial refrigerator was previously maintained, it could be that the expert forgot to calibrate the thermostat.

You can request them to recalibrate the thermostat to see if it fixes the issue. On the other hand, if the thermostat is simply failing to keep up, it means it needs to be replaced. Hire commercial refrigerator services Fairfax who can replace the thermostat and also look for other problems.

Compressor Failure

The compressor in your commercial refrigerator tends to be one of the most vital components. It pushes the refrigerant in the coils of the refrigerator for producing cool air. Plus, the compressor is also dependent on the refrigerant to perform smoothly.

If the refrigerant level is low due to damage or leakage, the compressor will work harder than usual to compensate for the loss. But, not only will the temperature come down, but the energy bills will rise too. Have an expert inspect the compressor. If it’s bad, replace the compressor.

You might come across experts who are willing to repair the compressor, but a replacement is always better. And if your refrigerator is old, consider replacing the unit.

Incorrect Temperature Setting

Sometimes, the problem does not lie with the refrigerator or any component but with the way the refrigerator is used. Since commercial kitchens tend to be busy places, it is quite easy for someone to accidentally change the settings.

This is not much of a problem as long as someone adjusts the thermostat to prevent the temperature from going down and spoiling the expensive food items.

Poor Maintenance

A common reason commercial refrigerators fail to maintain their temperature and perform sluggishly is due to poor maintenance. Maintenance lies at the heart of a commercial refrigerator’s smooth functioning. Depending on the usage frequency, the refrigerator should be maintained at least once every 2 or 3 months by an expert.

On the other hand, you can train your employees to clean the unit every week. The reason professional maintenance is important is that it is not limited to cleaning but inspecting the unit for potential problems. The expert thoroughly examines the unit inside and out to spot any unusual signs or symptoms.

This allows the expert to fix the issue before it turns serious. Although expert maintenance can be expensive, it offers long-term benefits. Paying a bit more to keep future problems at bay is something you should be encouraged about, rather than being hesitant.

Overloading

There is no denying the fact that commercial refrigerators are designed to be heavy-duty machines. But, this does not mean they can be overloaded or used roughly. Every commercial refrigerator comes with limited storage space no matter how big it is.

Some business owners, in an attempt to save money, tend to overload the refrigerator, which burdens it to perform harder than usual. Apart from the rising energy bills, the unit itself begins experiencing problems. This is why you should follow the user manual and store the items one at a time.

Overloading also blocks the circulation vents, which can affect the cooling process. So, make sure you do not overload the refrigerator and follow food storage best practices.

How To Find The Right Expert?

The right expert may be just around the block, but you might not know because the market is full of experts nowadays. Considering the overwhelming number of options, it can be hard to pick one. To make it easier for yourself, you should only consider individuals who are certified and licensed by the state.

This leaves you with a better chance of ending up with a skilled professional. Plus, before you make the final call, make sure to personally visit or give them a call to determine if they are what they claim to be. Then, negotiate the rates and pick the one that offers the best package.

Conclusion

Commercial refrigerator temperature problems can be easily fixed in most cases if you are familiar with the troubleshooting tips, otherwise, you should consult a commercial freezer repair Arlington technician who can properly inspect and fix the issue. In general, you should schedule professional maintenance to prevent such problems from taking place to begin with.