Avoid Costly Commercial Refrigeration Breakdowns with Regular Maintenance

Perth Air & Power Solutions is a proudly Western Australian owned company, servicing the Perth metropolitan area.

Commercial refrigeration installation for your business is a major investment, and running it on a daily basis can be costly. So it makes sense to keep it well maintained, right? Well, we know that but, unfortunately, some businesses think they can give maintenance the flick – until something goes wrong!

If you have a refrigeration system, it’s highly likely that it plays a major role in your business – for example, your business is a restaurant or shop. Consequently, if that system fails, the effect on your business could be catastrophic. At the very least you will experience major inconvenience, and at worst, you could lose expensive stock. 

It’s a Complex Science

Refrigeration is a complex science and requires the numerous components of a refrigerator to work perfectly together. And it’s important to understand how refrigeration uses energy. The compressor – the pump that moves the gas around the system – uses 40-60% of the system’s energy. The condenser coils cool the gas using fans that generally use another 10-20% of that energy.

The rest is up to the evaporator coils, plus the lights and defrost heater, which represent more ‘moving parts’ that could break down.

Reducing the amount of power used can be achieved by following some simple steps, starting with where you position your fridges and freezers. They should be away from heat sources – such as ovens and direct sunshine, and should be placed at least 10-15cm from the wall, to allow airflow.

Regular Maintenance

Cleaning dirty or dusty condenser fins and coils will improve energy use by 5-7%. However, if the parts are blocked or have deteriorated, the system will cost more to run, or will breakdown. Worn or cracked door seals will let cold air escape and, again, increase your running costs. And remember, every time the door to your fridge or freezer is opened, it loses cold air and has to work harder, thus using more energy.

The best way to manage and control all these potential issues is by scheduling regular, professional maintenance. Without a doubt, keeping your refrigeration system regularly maintained will prolong its life and enable it to run efficiently, therefore reducing your power bills. The same goes for domestic refrigeration systems, and air-conditioning systems – especially in Perth, where we experience such intense summer heat.

At Perth Air & Power Solutions, we offer a complete package from installation to maintenance and repairs. In fact, it’s our wide range of services, covering refrigeration, air-conditioning and electrical, that makes us such a handy one-stop-shop. And because we’re a local business,we understand the demands of our climate on refrigeration and air-conditioning.