Any high quality commercial refrigerator should last your business at least 10 years of regular use. If regular cleaning and maintenance is done by you, and regular services are done by a qualified technician, the lifespan of your commercial refrigerator increases to anywhere from 15 to 20 years.
If the appliance is neglected and regular services and inspections are not performed, this significantly reduces the lifespan of your fridge. Cleaning your fridge is not only important for hygienic reasons, it also provides you with valuable information about the state of your refrigerator.
A commercial refrigerator is likely to experience any number of issues that can quickly turn into much bigger problems if left unresolved.
When an issue is left unattended, it begins to impact the efficiency of the refrigerator. One of the first signs of a failing refrigerator is that it can’t seem to maintain a stable cold temperature. C
Commercial fridges should maintain a steady temperature of 2-7 degrees celcius, while freezers are generally set to -17 degrees celcius. Temperature fluctuations can cause food products to spoil, and refrigerators that can’t get cold enough begin to harbour bacterial growth. To find out more about what temperature your commercial refrigerator should be set to, click here.
If you notice unsteady temperatures, this may signify a leak in the seal, such as a broken door gasket or faulty hinges. The resulting introduction of warm and moist air into the internal environment of the cabinet causes the motor and compressor to work over time just to keep the temperature steady.
The decrease in efficiency begins to put extra wear on the refrigeration system and leaves you with a higher energy bill.
Increased pressure on fridge components can cause a sudden malfunction, which if not addressed immediately can cause a complete loss of inventory and revenue.
At this point, you may need to call in a service technician to repair or upgrade the faulty component. If the problem is serious however, it may be worth weighing up the cost between replacing a faulty item and actually replacing the entire unit. If you do end up needing to dispose of the fridge, check out our article on how to get rid of a commercial refrigerator here.
Modern commercial refrigerators use advanced technology to make them both more performant and energy efficient. The Australian government offers incentive programs and even requirements for commercial refrigerators to have a certain level of energy efficiency to be sold in Australia.
If your fridge or freezer is on its way out, upgrading to a more energy efficient model is a no brainer. Although the initial investment for a new energy efficient refrigerator is a lot, buyers will typically see their return on investment within 5 years of purchase. And continuous savings on power.
Make note of your older appliances too. A 15 year old fridge that has been costing you in repairs and maintenance may be worth replacing sooner rather than later.
If you’re ready to replace your worn out fridge for a quality energy efficient unit, check out NovaChill’s range of high-end commercial display fridges that will help you save on power.