There are many things that a restaurant or catering service operator needs to keep track of. Health and safety should be one of the top priorities of any business that prepares and serves food. The freezer is a big part of that, since it where food is kept to keep it safe and fresh. If a freezer is malfunctioning and it affects the food, then patrons could get sick and that business will suffer for it as well. This does not even take into account the cost of the food that ends up wasted. That is why it is important to be able to spot the warning signs of a malfunctioning freezer so you can get it fixed right away. Your customers and your business will thank you.
Constantly Running
If you notice that the freezer does not stop running, then it is a big tell-tale sign that something is wrong. It may be the most common and obvious indications. Properly functioning freezers cycle through refrigeration periods and then shut off after the compartment is properly cooled. Sometimes the cause may be a malfunctioning thermostat. If the thermostat is not properly relaying the message that the temperature is low enough, then the unit will keep working to get down to a level that it has already reached. You may also have a broken gasket or seal. This can cause cool air to leak out, which makes the unit keep working hard to cool the compartment.
Compressor is Loud
If the unit is not only running for long periods, but also seems to be running louder than usual, then you might have a compressor problem. Unfortunately, the compressor is the most expensive component of a freezer. That means that if you suspect a problem with it, then you should get it repaired as soon as possible to prevent you from having to replace it altogether. In some cases, it is more affordable to simply buy a new unit than to replace the compressor.
Frost in the Freezer
You may notice that too much of it has built up inside your unit. There are several possible causes of this. It might also be caused by a thermostat issue. If could also be that the defrost timer is damaged and cause the defrost cycles to be too short. Most likely, though is that you have damaged door gaskets. If the gaskets are damaged, then warm air could be seeping into the freezer. This warm air can cause frost on your evaporator coils. This will make the temperature inside the compartment dramatically drop which can cause the compressor to overwork and malfunction.
It is important that you do not risk the health of your customers by having food that has not been properly stored in the freezer. You also certainly do not want to waste food or effort having to discard of it. Make sure that you recognize the signs that your freezer is malfunctioning, and make sure to address any issues right away. If you are unsure, then it is best to err on the side of caution and contact a repair technician right away.
Altemp Mechanical offers a variety of commercial repair services with professionals who always deliver a quality experience. Get in touch online or call us at 651-275-9111