Maria Sotberg

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Maria_Sotberg_2024

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Stay cool and informed with our stories on refrigeration and freezing. You will find content on temperature control suitable for rookies and tech-savvy partners. Find blog posts, use cases and videos on temperature control, heat recovery, natural cooling and wireless temperature sensors. Relevant for supermarkets, hotels and restaurants, and large industrial cooling systems like marine and other food processing facilities.

Refrigeration and freezing

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Get a refrigeration maintenance checklist

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Find a Certified Partner near you

<p>Refrigeration systems often have a critical function. They ensure that technology doesn't overheat and that food and pharmaceuticals aren't destroyed. Preventative maintenance is essential to help avoid common problems and breakdowns and to keep your equipment working reliably for years to come.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The general recommendation is to <strong>service your refrigeration or freezer system twice a year</strong>. We always recommend using a professional cooling company.</p>





<p>In addition to having a professional crew and regular service agreement, there are several things you can do yourself to keep your equipment in the best possible condition all year round.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-refrigeration-maintenance-checklist-tasks-you-can-tackle-yourself">Refrigeration maintenance checklist: tasks you can tackle yourself</h2>



<p>Let's take a look at tasks you should perform on a daily or weekly basis:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Keep equipment clean:</strong></td><td>Timely cleaning safeguards against odors and mold, ensuring the safety and quality of stored items. Avoid using steel wool or harsh chemicals, such as bleach, as they can damage your appliance's finish.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Monitor temperature settings:</strong></td><td>Regularly check and adjust temperature and defrost frequency settings. Make sure that the temperature isn't set lower than necessary; this will only make your system work harder.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Defrost on schedule:</strong></td><td>Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for defrosting. More often than not, people are too eager. <a href="https://kiona.com/story/blog/defrosting-made-easy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Defrosting your unit</a> too often creates unnecessary strain on your refrigerator.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Prevent overcrowding:</strong></td><td>Adequate airflow is essential for the unit to operate efficiently. A tightly packed refrigerator hampers air circulation, forcing the unit to work harder to maintain its set temperature.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Maximize airflow around the unit:</strong></td><td>Ensure there's sufficient space around your refrigerator for proper airflow. Avoid blocking air intake and exhaust vents, as this can lead to increased energy consumption and premature system failure.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Inspect and fix seals:</strong></td><td>Regularly inspect door gaskets for tears or looseness. Repair minor gasket leaks with silicone caulk and secure door hinges and latches. Perform this check monthly to maintain a tight seal.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trust-the-professionals">Trust the professionals</h2>



<p>A service can involve several different tasks, depending on the size and complexity of the system. Even if you have pretty good knowledge, many jobs are best left to the professionals.</p>



<p><a href="https://kiona.com/our-partners" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Our Certified Partners</a> are well-versed in cooling technology, and many offer both predefined service agreements and customized services according to your needs.</p>



<p>If you find it difficult to remember to book service at certain times, a<strong> service agreement</strong> can be the perfect solution. Many of our partners also have a 24-hour on-call service should anything unforeseen occur.</p>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-you-need-a-maintenance-plan">Why you need a maintenance plan</h2>



<p>Most issues that affect your refrigeration system will make it work harder, leading to more repairs and higher electricity costs. An ignored problem can result in a costly breakdown when you can least afford it.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In addition to servicing, a professional company will be <strong>up to date</strong> on environmental requirements and new technology. They also often help <strong>improve the operation</strong> of cooling systems to reduce energy consumption. For example, refrigeration systems always generate heat. Why not reuse the heat and save energy?&nbsp;</p>



<p>It's always smart to have a professional regularly inspect your equipment for signs of trouble and prevent problems before they turn into breakdowns.</p>

Why you need a refrigeration maintenance schedule – and a daily task checklist

Make sure your produce always stays fresh

<p>Temperature control is mostly about ensuring food safety, and we have strict requirements for fridges and freezers in Europe. The main rules are that</p>



<ol type="1"><li>perishable foodstuffs must be stored at 4 °C or lower</li><li>the cold chain must be uninterrupted</li><li>the temperature of freezers should be -18 °C or lower</li></ol>



<p>But even in the good fight against microorganisms, it's foolish to use more energy than necessary. So it's worth looking closely at the product: What is the specified storage method? If you have several products that can withstand temperatures higher than 4 °C, you can store them together in a separate cabinet. It's a waste of energy to keep them at a lower temperature than necessary.</p>



<h2 id="h-how-cold-is-too-cold-for-your-refrigeration-units"><strong>How cold is too cold for your refrigeration units?</strong></h2>





<p>Of course, when it comes to your freezer, it's not like -36 °C is twice as good as -18 °C. Anything below 22 °C is, in practice, the equivalent of throwing energy right out of the window. So it's best to keep the temperature in the freezer within this 4-degree range. The temperature will fluctuate, but if you have IWMAC monitoring, you'll get reports with temperature logs every 24 hours. That way, you can quickly check if products are in danger – or if there is energy to be saved.</p>



<h2><strong>Cool facts about temperatures</strong></h2>



<p>At Kiona, we often visit new customers at supermarkets to supply training. Once accurate temperature monitoring is in place, many have a real lightbulb moment. Here are the most common experiences, summarised in three practical temperature tips.</p>



<h3><strong>1. Close the door to the freezer or refrigerated room when restocking</strong></h3>



<p>Heat exchange happens faster than you think. Ensure that the refrigerated/freezer room door does not leak, and never leave it open while restocking items. Otherwise, warm air and moisture can sneak in, and ice forms.</p>



<h3><strong>2. Don't let the ventilation work against you</strong></h3>



<p>Fridges and freezers are seriously affected by the temperature and air humidity elsewhere in the store. When summer finally arrives, this is especially important to look at and address. If it's 20 °C in the store with 40% humidity – as it is in winter – you'll have around a 55% load on the refrigerated counter and freezer. However, if it is 20 °C with 60% humidity, the load will quickly become 75%. And that's something you need to keep in mind.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>I have even seen ventilation systems blowing 27 °C warm and humid summer air into the store. Then we're talking a load of over 100 percent. It's a complete waste when two systems are fighting against each other.</p><cite><em>Viktor Bardun, Sales Coordinator, Kiona</em></cite></blockquote>



<p>Want control of your uptime? <a href="https://kiona.com/products/iwmac/">Let your ventilation, cooling, and heating work together!</a></p>



<h3><strong>3. Don't leave the door of the store open</strong> </h3>



<p>And last but by no means least: We understand that it can be tempting to leave the store's door open in the summer. Many people do, but it's not good for your refrigeration and freezer system. Better to have the store a little cold and close the door. This gives your food a safer environment and reduces your fridge's freeze burden – and your electricity bill.</p>

How to store food - and save energy

Stay energy-efficient without compromising performance

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<ul>
 	<li><strong>Keep doors closed:</strong> Every second a refrigerator or freezer door stays open, the system works harder. Encourage staff to grab what they need quickly to minimize energy loss.</li>
 	<li><strong>Avoid overloading:</strong> Overstuffing shelves blocks airflow, which makes maintaining a consistent temperature much harder. Organize items to ensure the cooling system operates efficiently.</li>
 	<li><strong>Ensure proper ventilation:</strong> Make sure there's adequate airflow around your units. Blocked vents or insufficient space can cause equipment to overheat and lose efficiency.</li>
</ul>

Simple tips for your fridge and freezers

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Steps to get your systems summer-ready

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Zero stress with Alarm Monitoring 24/7

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<p>Summer is just around the corner, making this the perfect time to get your refrigeration systems ready. Whether you're managing commercial freezers or a single refrigeration unit, preparing them for the heat ahead is essential to avoid breakdowns, inefficiencies, and costly losses.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Hot weather can strain even the most robust refrigeration systems. When temperatures rise, so does the workload for your equipment. Here are a few common issues you'll want to prevent:</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-steps-to-get-your-systems-summer-ready">Steps to get your systems summer-ready</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-defrost-ice-prone-freezers">1. Defrost ice-prone freezers</h3>




<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-zero-stress-with-alarm-monitoring-24-7">Zero stress with Alarm Monitoring 24/7</h2>



<p>On average, three times as many alarms go off during the summer. Let us take on the job of assessing and filtering the alarms.</p>



<p><a href="https://kiona.com/products/iwmac/alarm-monitoring-24-7">Find out more</a></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://kiona.com/app/uploads/2022/05/Alarm-Monitoring-24-7-tranparent.png" alt="Alarm Monitoring 24/7" class="wp-image-9304" style="object-fit:cover;width:248px;height:248px"/></figure>




<p>Humidity levels tend to climb when it's hot out, and every time a freezer door opens, warm, moist air gets in. This can lead to ice building up. Instead of waiting for peak summer chaos, start defrosting now. </p>



<p>It's always a good idea to <strong>team up with your refrigeration company</strong> for this. With their help <strong>and coordination with alarm centers</strong> like ours <em>(for those with </em><a href="https://kiona.com/products/iwmac/alarm-monitoring-24-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>AlarmMonitoring 24/7</em></a><em>),</em> you can bypass those annoying high-temperature alerts during the defrosting process.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>





<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-clean-key-components">2. Clean key components</h3>



<p>Dust and debris around condenser coils and fans can force refrigeration units to work harder than necessary. Regularly cleaning these parts and tightening door seals can prevent overheating and improve energy efficiency.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-keep-an-eye-on-temperatures">3. Keep an eye on temperatures</h3>



<p>Consider upgrading to <a href="https://kiona.com/products/iwmac" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a modern temperature-monitoring system</a> if you don't already have one. These systems provide real-time updates and alerts, so you'll know immediately if something's not quite right.</p>





<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-schedule-professional-maintenance">4. Schedule professional maintenance</h3>



<p>Sometimes, it's best to leave things to the pros. A trained technician can spot potential issues before they cause trouble, from worn-out parts to electrical glitches. A quick pre-summer check-up now could save you a breakdown later.&nbsp;</p>



<p><em>PS: We know someone who can help!</em> <a href="https://kiona.com/our-partners" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Find a refrigeration partner in your area</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stay-energy-efficient-without-compromising-performance">Stay energy-efficient without compromising performance</h2>



<p>By adopting a few smart habits, you can reduce expenses without overburdening your cooling systems. Here are three practical temperature tips to remember:&nbsp;</p>

Prepare your refrigeration systems for the summer heat