The refrigeration expertise of Spectre's engineers can be the difference between getting your system back up and running again quickly and efficiently or losing valuable stock, many refrigeration unit break downs generally result in a loss of stock. This is because many problems are not acted upon quickly enough when the problem first begins, so we know the importance of a fast reactive service...

Unlike air conditioning, many refrigeration system faults can be picked up on relatively early as temperatures generally get monitored and this can be a key indicator that the system has an issue. Things such as temperatures taking longer to come down than usual or not quite getting to the set point temperature at all show that there is an issue somewhere with how the unit is functioning. Below are listed some of the more common faults to be found with refrigeration equipment, many of which are preventable through regular maintenance work on the units.

Blocked Condenser Coils

Blocked condenser coils on refrigeration units are an extremely common issue, this is mainly due to the unit being situated so close to the floor but also because many fridges are simply plugged in and left until something goes wrong. Although it is an easy fix, it is also an easy problem to prevent with a regular clean. Not only will keeping the coil clean improve the efficiency of the fridge, it will also extend the life of the fan motor as it will pull air through more effectively and so keeping all the components cool. A blocked condenser coil will reduce the amount of air drawn through by the fan and will cause the coil to increase in temperature, this will then have a knock on effect with the evaporator coil inside the fridge causing it to begin to warm up and not cool effectively.

Blocked Drains

Depending on where the drain is situated on the unit the symptoms can vary, from water finding it's way onto the floor to working it's way to the inside of the fridge. If the water backs up to the point of coming into contact with the evaporator coil it can begin to freeze. This problem will gradually get worse as it covers more of the coil and reduces air flow. On fridge systems with evaporator fans such as walk ins and cellar coolers this can make it seem as though the unit has a gas pressure problem, when it is a simple case of clearing the blockage and any ice build up reducing the air flow.

Split Door Gaskets

Although damaged door gaskets are not at the top of the list of things they think of when people are having issues with their equipment, a well sealed door is imperative for a well functioning fridge or freezer. If the seal is in poor condition then the cooling being produced can escape, this leads to extra run time to achieve temperature and shorter 'off' periods when the unit actually gets to its set temperature. This makes the unit far less energy efficient and also adds more work to all of the components on the system. Changing the gasket is a simple and relatively cheap job and in many cases if the original gasket can not be sourced, one can usually be custom made to suit.

Faulty Fan Motors

Many faulty fan motors are the result of poorly kept units, they usually suffer from dry bearings due to running in very hot environments and not having the condenser coils cleaned on a regular basis. On many units the evaporator fans can be running 24 hours per day and so over time will eventually need to be replaced, this is something that could be identified on a maintenance before the fan stops completely. Although in most cases the motors are inexpensive to replace, looking after the equipment regularly can seriously extend the life of them and could potentially save money on break downs.

If you are experiencing issues with your refrigeration unit, contact us today and we will resolve the problem quickly and efficiently...

Yorkshire's Leading Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Specialists

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