Tired of sweating through the summer? When scorching summer temperatures set in, you're not the only one struggling to make it through the day. The hotter the weather, the harder your refrigeration system (and air conditioning system) must work, increasing the risk of equipment breakdowns.
These systems are essential for maintaining the quality and safety of perishable goods, but the heat can push them to their limits.
On average, three times as many alarms go off during the summer, and the high temperatures make it crucial to maintain consistent product quality, prevent temperature fluctuations, and avoid ingredient spoilage.
Beat the heat with proper maintenance
The maximum cooling load usually occurs during summer. This is because the heat places a substantial load on these systems, compelling them to work harder and longer to maintain optimal temperatures.
To fortify your refrigeration systems against the summer heat, proactive maintenance is paramount. Waiting until the hot conditions trigger an unexpected breakdown is a costly gamble. Instead, prioritizing regular maintenance before the onset of summer ensures that your equipment is in optimal condition to weather the seasonal demands.
Maintenance tips for summer resilience
- Routine inspections: schedule inspections of your refrigeration systems to identify and address potential issues before they escalate.
- Cleaning and servicing: keep condenser coils, evaporator coils, and fans clean and free from debris to ensure efficient heat transfer and airflow.
- Refrigerant checks: verify refrigerant levels and promptly address any leaks or deficiencies to maintain optimal cooling performance.
- Temperature calibration: calibrate temperature settings to accommodate the increased cooling load during summer, ensuring consistent and reliable operation.
Of course, proper servicing is best left to the professionals. Don't have a maintenance schedule yet? See why you should – and get help from one of our Certified Partners near you.
Beware of product quality: invest in monitoring
Even on the year's hottest day, you must maintain consistent product quality, prevent temperature fluctuations, and avoid ingredient spoilage. Modern building- and monitoring systems can alert you and your staff immediately if something is wrong with your refrigeration units.
Customers with IWMAC receive a notification when an alarm is triggered. If the temperature – or whatever you want to measure – goes above or below the set limit value, the system automatically notifies you. This will help you minimize food loss since you have limited time to restore the appropriate temperature before it all must be thrown out.
Remember: this time frame can be even shorter with higher temperatures.
More small things that can help keep your refrigeration systems in tip-top shape
Don't forget that seemingly small adjustments can make a big impact. Simple practices, such as keeping refrigerator and freezer doors closed and ensuring proper sealing, play a big role in conserving energy and maintaining consistent temperatures.
And beware of systems working against each other—high humidity conditions can impact air-cooled refrigeration systems just as much as high temperatures. Coordinate the ventilation and refrigeration systems to complement rather than work against each other.
Want to try IWMAC for your cooling systems?