Whether you’re a restaurant owner, a grocery chain facility manager, a food & beverage manufacturing plant manager or manage a cold warehouse, you know that the quality of your commercial refrigeration system is about much more than just keeping drinks cool.
- It’s about providing top-quality products that keep customers coming back day after day.
- It’s about protecting your community by ensuring everything on your shelves is at peak freshness.
- It’s about peace of mind knowing your commercial refrigeration units comply with regulations like the AIM Act (which requires low and ultra-low-GWP refrigerants).
- It’s about peace of mind, knowing that your walk-in refrigeration and freezer systems aren’t damaging your revenue generation potential due to high utility bills.
But even the most advanced, energy-efficient, and eco-friendly commercial refrigeration system can cause functionality and financial issues without proper installation.
Shockingly, Up to 90% of HVAC Systems Aren’t Installed Correctly!
That’s right, research by the NC Alternative Energy Corp. found that almost all HVAC systems aren’t installed correctly.
However, with so many aspects to commercial refrigeration installation, it’s surprisingly common to encounter issues without a certified, trusted HVAC-R technician in your local Columbus area. Faulty installation includes:
- Not conducting load calculations
- Incorrect thermostat placement
- Leaks due to moisture-born POE acidity
- Ductwork issues
- Incorrectly-sized HVAC systems
Not to mention, businesses will invest a lot of capital into purchasing top-of-the-line refrigeration systems. However, they often (unknowingly) cut corners by selecting the cheapest installer.
Unfortunately, the implications of these missteps lead to significant operational issues, as revealed by energystar.gov.
When heating and cooling equipment isn’t correctly installed, it can lower system efficiency by 30%
When you invest tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in your business, proper installation is crucial for an effective refrigeration system that delivers the return on investment (ROI) you deserve.
The Cost of Incorrect Commercial Refrigeration Installation in Columbus
The installation issues above only scratch the surface of what can happen when you don’t work with Columbus commercial refrigeration installation experts. And even if just one of those installation mistakes happens to your HVAC-R, your entire operation is at risk.
Nearly Inevitable Interruptions
The phrase “measure twice, cut once” is particularly applicable to commercial refrigeration installations. Without an expert to provide thorough load calculations and operational analysis, your commercial freezer installation is primed for downtime and business disruption.
Higher Energy Bills
High energy bills are a frustrating cost of running a food-service business, right?
Well, it’s true that you can’t eliminate energy bills, but if your HVAC-R system isn’t operating as efficiently as possible, you could be wasting an astronomical amount of money on unnecessarily high energy costs.
Based on research by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, households (noncommercial) spend more than 50 percent of their energy usage on heating and cooling.
Imagine that at a commercial scale, especially if you’re running a major grocery store or restaurant with walk-in coolers and freezers!
Problems With Product Integrity
Whether from poor performance or unexpected downtime, faulty commercial refrigeration installation puts your inventory (and customers) at risk. Every moment your system is down means you’re one minute closer to spoiled products.
Or…
Each day that your walk-in cooler or freezer isn’t operating at full capacity means unnecessarily shorter shelf life for your products or ingredients.
For example, if your system isn’t properly commissioned. Commissioning is when an HVAC and refrigeration technician runs the startups on your system to ensure everything is operating properly (and to the manufacturer’s specifications). The standard procedure usually includes the following (but not all) procedures:
- Verify that the system’s running correct values for all pressure specifications (suction, discharge, condenser subcooling, and evaporator superheat).
- Check that the compressor has an oil level sight glass (note: oil levels should always be inspected at startup and after the system has achieved a steady-state operation).
- Verify the oil level is at an acceptable level
- Check all electrical connections to ensure they’re fastened correctly.
- Ensure the voltage supply is within ±10 percent of nameplate requirements and that compressor amperage is optimal.
- Ensure the system’s temperature controls are operating normally by cycling the system off and then back on (there are additional steps if the system uses a pump-down solenoid valve or uses crankcase heaters).
Working with an inexperienced or uncertified HVAC and refrigeration technician may mean all of these crucial processes are overlooked — leading to costly repairs down the line.
Why Do Commercial Refrigeration Installation Mistakes Happen?
There are many factors to consider when it comes to commercial refrigeration installation in Columbus, but inexperienced technicians play the most significant role in HVAC-R issues down the road.
It can be tempting to work with a local HVAC service provider in Columbus or even a trusted friend or family member. However, without an experienced HVAC-R specialist managing your commercial refrigeration installation, the mistakes mentioned earlier — along with a host of other costly issues — are more likely to occur.
If your service provider isn’t anticipating and working to prevent problems, it will cost you a lot more money down the line, not to mention the possible shutdown (temporary or not) if your system has a major malfunction!
It isn’t just about understanding what parts need to connect where. It’s about having the wisdom to ask the right questions, analyze your current situation, and make informed judgments — even if it means recommending a more cost-effective solution.
What Happens When You Hire the Right People?
If you want your commercial refrigeration installation to save money, run optimally, and provide the best experience for your customer, you need to hire commercial refrigeration installation experts.
CoolSys technicians in the Columbus area take a “total cost of ownership” (TCO) approach to your installation — not just “get in and get paid.” That means providing you with a lower operational cost throughout the entire lifecycle of your HVAC-R system.
The Benefits of Strategic Commercial Refrigeration Installation in Columbus
Reduce Unplanned Downtime
With leak issues, poor fitting, and ineffective duct installation, an HVAC-R system is on a short-term countdown to unplanned disruptions.
By working with a commercial refrigeration installation specialist in Columbus, your system is better protected from costly emergency repairs caused by faulty installation and has the best start to a long, successful lifecycle.
Avoid Product Loss and Spoilage.
Aside from energy savings, working with Columbus commercial refrigeration installation experts also saves on other overhead costs, such as inventory, because an effective HVAC-R system operates efficiently.
Lower Energy Consumption
A properly installed HVAC-R system automatically improves your energy efficiency because the system doesn’t have to overcompensate due to poorly connected ducts, tubes, or sizing issues.
The DOE revealed that you can decrease energy usage (which directly improves energy costs) by up to 50 percent simply by upgrading to an energy-efficient HVAC system.
Optimize Operating Costs in Columbus
A well-executed commercial refrigeration installation offers remarkable benefits across your entire operation. The revenue you save from lower energy usage and repairs is worth the investment.
Don’t forget that installation is just the beginning. To yield the best ROI and save the most on energy costs, you need to establish a solid commercial HVAC maintenance plan.
Organizations can lower energy costs by up to 20 percent with effective maintenance best practices.
Increase ROI By Choosing The Right Columbus Commercial Refrigeration Installation Expert
Whether you’re installing a brand-new walk-in freezer or upgrading your entire commercial HVAC refrigeration system, CoolSys is your trusted partner for HVAC and commercial refrigeration installations, earning the trust of major organizations across the United States.
