Business owners typically don’t spend a lot of time each day thinking about their industrial freezers. However, if something were to go wrong in an industrial food or product setting, there could be the potential loss of thousands of dollars of inventory as well as downtimes while repairs are made. It makes sense then for wary owners to be on the lookout for signs that freezer equipment is about to fail. At SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC, we’ve gathered this helpful list of warning signs to help business owners understand when it may be time to invest in a new industrial freezer.
Decreased Efficiency
Even when a industrial freezer is technically still working, it might not be operating in the most efficient manner. Fortunately, there are some obvious indicators when this is the case. Owners or employees might notice that there is a significant amount of ice accumulating on the walls, contents, or compressor unit inside the freezer. Or, there may be certain areas where the temperature seems higher than the rest of the compartment. If someone opens the door for an extended period of time, an inefficient freezer will have trouble getting back to the appropriate temperature quickly.
Temperature Failures
Beyond anomalies such as these signs of operational inefficiency, there may be downright obvious clues that an industrial freezer is reaching the end of its service life. Large fluctuations in overall temperature, such as periodic thawing, is a major issue that must be addressed immediately. Similarly, industrial freezers that are exposed to high exterior temperatures may struggle to maintain the necessary freezing temperature on the interior.
Structural Deterioration
Industrial freezers, especially those at high-capacity facilities, can take a beating. Though the walls are likely to get banged up and the door dented, there are some major structural damage issues that could be warning signs for equipment that needs to be replaced sooner rather than later. For example, door seals are one of the first parts of the freezer to show wear. The door gets the most traffic, so it is the most vulnerable to damage. Seals on the panel joints can also start to fail, which may let warm outside air into the freezer compartment. Wall damage that’s heavy enough to pierce the metal surface and expose the insulation underneath is a major cause of concern as well.
Costly Maintenance
Most pieces of equipment need service now and then, although regular maintenance should help cut down on visits from the repairman. However, there comes a point at which doing more and more frequent – and costly – repairs simply isn’t worth it anymore. At some point, it makes more financial sense to replace the industrial freezer instead of continuing to pour money into repairs. This may especially be the case as the freezer gets older and the parts become more expensive or, worse, obsolete and unavailable.
Insufficient (or Over-Abundant) Space
Finally, not every person in the market for a new industrial freezer is in that situation because of equipment failure. A business owner who is planning a major expansion or who wants to switch from reach-in freezers to walk-in freezers may be considering investing in a new unit. Many companies simply outgrow their freezer storage capacities or change their inventory so that the current freezer is no longer suitable.
However, it’s also possible for the opposite problem to exist. An industrial freezer that remains mostly empty can burn a great deal of extra energy and even have reduced efficiency compared to a fuller freezer. That’s why some businesses that have scaled back, made other arrangement, or changed their business models may be better off downsizing than pumping money into a unit that is too large.
SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC Provides Customizable Industrial Freezers
At SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC, we know that purchasing a large piece of industrial equipment such as an industrial freezer is a major investment. We believe these warning signs can help owners and managers be vigilant and on the lookout for inefficient operation, signs of failure, or structural problems in their current units. Though repairs might be an option for the shorter term, there may come a time when the financial outlay for a new commercial freezer is more logical than continued repair bills. By taking the time to check on the operation of freezers in their facilities, companies can avoid downtime and inventory loss.
SEMCO/SEMCOLD LLC is committed to providing our customers with custom built industrial freezers and other freezing and cooling equipment that meets their needs, budget, and timeline. Contact us for more information about what industrial freezer is right for your business.
