News - ACL Refrigeration

23 Jul

Common Problems Caused By Lack of Commercial Refrigeration Maintenance

Making sure that you maintain your commercial refrigeration equipment is vital if you wish to extend the working life of your refrigeration appliances. Regular and effective preventative maintenance can also lower the risks of fire that can come about when a refrigeration appliance malfunctions. Keeping your refrigeration and freezing equipment maintained can help to reduce the costs associated with replacing whole units, especially if they become damaged beyond repair. They say that prevention is much better than the cure, and in the case of commercial refrigeration equipment, that statement is truer than most. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most common but preventable problems that can occur through lack of proper maintenance.

Here are some of the common problems that can arise within your refrigeration and freezing equipment if they are not maintained on a regular basis.

Fan Motor Failure

This is a problem that is caused when there is a restricted air flow around the area of the fan, which is usually a problem that is caused by dirty coils. Keeping your coils clean and free from obstruction will help to keep your fan motor from burning out.

Thermostat Failure

This is another problem that can be directly attributed to dirty condenser coils, and it usually comes about by a high amp draw.

Compressor Failure

Again, this is something that is caused by a refrigeration unit that has dirty condenser coils, as well as an excessive head pressure.

Failing and Burning Wiring

This is an additional problem that can come about due to the high amp draw, which will have been caused by dirty condenser coils and a high head pressure. Also, dirty coils can be to blame for a higher amp draw and a higher level of electricity consumption.

In Conclusion

These are just a few problems that can come about due to a lack of proper and regular maintenance, but there are many more, however, the ones listed above are among the most common.

As you can see, there are many things that can go wrong with commercial refrigeration equipment, and that is why it is so vital to make sure that you have a regular cleaning and maintenance program in place. Otherwise, you could find that your refrigeration equipment fails when you need it the most, or at the most inconvenient time.

16 Jul

Commercial Refrigeration Is Essential If You Own a Restaurant

Posted at 12:00 AM, 16 July 2014 by acladmin / Category: Articles / Tags: Commercial Refrigeration

If you own or run a food or catering business, you will already know just how vital it is to have reliable and efficient refrigeration equipment. These appliances are vital if you wish to store food at the right temperature, as well as helping you to avoid cross contamination and spoilt foodstuffs. In this article, we will take a closer look at why buying the right commercial refrigeration unit for your business is crucial.

The Various Types of Refrigeration Equipment

There is without doubt a vast array of different types of commercial refrigeration units that are available to buy or rent, and the appliances you choose should depend on what your needs are. Most restaurants for example will need refrigeration and freezers that are located in or near to the main food preparation area, where they can be accessed easily. However, smaller cafe’s and coffee shops may also have a need for display fridges, which showcase the range of canned or bottled drinks that are available to buy. There may also be a need for a cake display or patisserie display unit, which are a great way to show and store food whilst at the same time keeping it free from germs and dirt.

It is for these reasons that commercial refrigeration is an extremely specialist area, and you will need to find a supplier who has a very good level of knowledge about the need for refrigeration units within the catering industry.

Other things to consider

There is much more to commercial refrigeration than simply buying an appliance, as there are a number of rules and regulations relating to the safe storage of foodstuffs that need to be adhered to. Another additional consideration is the energy efficiency rating and safety rating of the equipment, due to the fact that they will be in operation 24 hours per day, 7 days of the week.

Durability is also a necessity, as these are going to be refrigeration appliances that come in for a lot of daily use, which means the ones that you buy, should be built to the highest possible standards as possible.

Finally

The very best suppliers of commercial refrigerators and freezers will be able to advise you on the most suitable appliances for your business, as well as offering you advice on where to locate the units within your establishment.

9 Jul

4 Key Points to Remember For Air Conditioning Installation

Posted at 12:00 AM, 9 July 2014 by acladmin / Category: Articles / Tags: Air Conditioning Installation

As a business owner, it is important to consider the working environment of your employees, and their comfort levels. That is why a lot more companies are now looking to install air conditioning in to their workplace, so that their employees can work in greater levels of comfort. In addition to which, if you are a shop owner, it is also important to consider the needs of your customers, and having an air conditioned shop or restaurant can really make a difference in how people feel about visiting your establishment.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the 4 most important things to consider when you opt for a new air conditioning system.

Choosing a Reputable Company

There are many different companies that offer their services for air conditioning installation, and it is important that you do as much research into each company as possible. It is a good idea to make up a shortlist of air conditioning installation companies in your area, and then ask them to provide you with a quote for the job. You should also take the time to look at reviews and testimonials that have been left by people or businesses that have used their services in the past.

Get an Inspection

Once you have found a suitable and reputable air conditioning installation company, it is important that no work takes place until a detailed inspection of your premises is carried out. The benefits of this inspection will be to make sure that your air conditioning system reaches the areas of your business where you need it most, as well as helping them to provide you with a realistic quote for their services.

Size of the System

Owning an air conditioning system that is too small or too big is not going to be much use. Too small and it won’t be effective enough, too big, and it will just waste both energy and money.

Maintenance

Once your air conditioning unit has been installed, it is going to be in need of regular maintenance to make sure that it runs to maximum efficiency. Unfortunately, problems can arise, and air conditioning systems can break down, that is why it is vital that the air conditioning maintenance service that you provide is able to offer a 24/7 call out service. If they do not, and your system malfunctions, your lack of air conditioning could have an impact on your business operations.

25 Jun

Is Your Air Conditioning Unit Leaking Water? What Does It Mean?

Posted at 12:00 AM, 25 June 2014 by acladmin / Category: Articles / Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Air Conditioning Service

Although owning an air conditioner can be quite advantageous for homes that generally experience an ample amount of warm weather, they can be equally confusing for first-time air conditioner owners. If you notice that your air conditioner is leaking water, there could be a numerous amount of different reasons as to why. With that being said, it can be advantageous to seek the assistance of an air conditioning professional to repair the conditioning unit as soon as possible.

Below are typical reasons as to why your air conditioner is leaking.

Note: It is normal for your air conditioner to cause a small amount of condensation due to the dehumidifying process, though puddles of water are not normal.

Broken Pumps

The most common issue with air conditioning units is that their pump may be broken. In order to determine whether this applies to you, pour water into the condenser pan to see if it can sufficiently pump out the excess water. If it doesn’t, check the power to the pump, if it has enough power it could be the condenser or the motor. At this time, consult a professional to determine what the source of the issue may be.

Improper Installation

Although you may have assumed that you could have installed the air conditioning unit on your own, leaking water is a tell-tale sign of a unit that has been improperly installed. If the unit isn’t level or is receiving too much pressure, it may begin to create pools of water. First check to see if the air conditioner is level, if it is then consider checking if any vents in your home are closed. Generally closed vents put more pressure on the air valves, causing them to leak.

Blockage of the Drain Hole

Each air conditioning unit is equipped with a drain hole that can sometimes be blocked with dirt and other types of debris. Considering that your unit is outside, it is quite likely that you could be experiencing a drain hole blockage. In order to determine whether this is the problem or not, consult the tubing of your unit. If there is a blockage, clear it out and you could notice if the water exits the condenser pan properly. If so, the pooling of water should stop.

With the use of an air conditioning unit, you can experience comfort during the summer and winter. With the use of the above tips, you may be able to diagnose the problem with your air conditioning unit if you are noticing that it is leaking.

18 Jun

How A Cold Storage Room Is Designed

Posted at 12:00 AM, 18 June 2014 by acladmin / Category: Articles

Cold storage rooms can be a great addition to any home as it provides home owners with the opportunity to store goods that do not need to be completely refrigerated but that could benefit from cooler air. As an example, if you are entertaining a house full of guests and want to have soft drinks cool enough for consumption without having to take space in your refrigerator, a cold storage room could be quite advantageous. With that being said, cold storage rooms aren’t just a hollowed room in the basement of a home, they are constructed a specific way to both protect the inside of your home and to provide air circulation for stored objects.

Wall Thickness and Insulation

The first factor that is taken into consideration when a cold room is designed is the thickness of the walls and the insulation (if any) that should be installed. It is advised that if you are building your own cold storage room to use insulation. The thickness of the walls will help to ensure that the room does not get affected by harsh weather and temperatures. As an example, if you reside in an area that is prone to deep-freezing, you will want to ensure that your cold storage walls are thick and insulated to protect your stored goods so that they don’t freeze.

Door Frame Heater and Floor Heating System

Depending on your use for the cold storage room, you may want to consider installing a door frame heater. For cold storage that is expected to reach -0°C a door frame heater will help to ensure that the door does not freeze shut. The majority of homes do not require a door frame heater as their cold storage will not reach such a significantly low temperature. Another component to consider is a floor heating system. Although the walls of your cold storage may not reach below 0°C, your floors might. With the use of a floor heating system you can prevent the build-up of ice through your floor. It is important that you consult your contractor to determine if it is a viable component for your home.

Air Exchange

The final and one of the most important components to a cold storage room is some type of air exchange system. In order to ensure that air is sufficiently cycled in and out through the walls of your cold storage, have your contractor install an air exchange. Plus, this will help to keep energy costs low because you won’t be wasting any excess energy with the use of a two-way pressure valve or another type of economically safe ventilation system.

11 Jun

What Are The Different Types of Commercial Refrigeration?

Posted at 12:00 AM, 11 June 2014 by acladmin / Category: Articles / Tags: Commercial Refrigeration

Commercial refrigeration can be quite advantageous, especially for food manufacturers and distributors. With the opportunity to keep food cool from the warehouse to the final destination, companies do not have to worry about thawing meats and cheeses. With that being said, there are several different types of commercial refrigeration that are commonly used by a variety of different companies such as florists, food processors, and restaurants.

Walk-In Refrigerator/Freezer

This type of commercial refrigeration is the most popular as the majority of companies that require cold storage find it the most advantageous to install a walk-in refrigerator and freezer. With the opportunity to have the unit installed within the building, employees will have simple and constant access to hundreds of refrigerated products. Also, since these units are so large in size, they provide owners with the opportunity to store an ample amount of goods.

Display Case Refrigerators

If you have ever been to a gas station, the refrigerators that house drinks and other cold goods are known as display case refrigerators. These can be quite beneficial for customers as it provides them with the opportunity to access the merchandise on their own. With the use of display case refrigerators, owners are able to show the products that they are currently offering to customers meanwhile ensuring that they remain cold via the cold air inside. These units are generally the most energy efficient products in cold storage.

Refrigerated Trucks

For companies that are looking to transport cold goods such as florists, caterers, or cake makers, using a refrigerated truck can be quite advantageous. The cold air units that are installed in the truck ensure that the entire storage compartment receives an even amount of cold air to preserve the integrity of the products that are being transported. There are many different door-to-door grocery delivery companies that also use refrigerated trucks to provide customers with fresh goods. One of the largest benefits associated with refrigerated trucks is that they can be driven for an extended period of time to get goods from one location to another without having to worry about thawing.

There are dozens of different companies and industries that use commercial refrigeration on a daily basis. Whether it be a gas station with display case refrigerators or a meat packing plant with walk-in refrigerators and freezers, commercial refrigeration can be quite advantageous for a numerous amount of reasons.

4 Jun

Is Air Conditioning The Only Option To Keep A Conservatory Cool?

Posted at 12:00 AM, 4 June 2014 by acladmin / Category: Articles / Tags: Air Conditioning

A conservatory can be a great way to add extra space to your home whether it be traditional or modern. As a room that is typically used for entertainment or pure relaxation, a conservatory usually offers an abundance of light as they are mainly constructed out of glass. The reason as to why you may want to consider keeping your conservatory cool is because during the summer, the glass can soak in an ample amount of heat, making the room uncomfortable to be in. Although you may assume that air conditioning is the only method available to keep a conservatory cool, there are a couple additional options to be aware of.

Air Conditioning

As previously mentioned, air conditioning is thought to be the sole method for keeping a conservatory cool. Although air conditioning is the most effective method, there are others to consider. One of the largest benefits associated with air conditioning is that it can not only keep your conservatory cool during the summer, but it can also keep it warm during the winter. With the use of a professional installation company, you will be able to entertain in your conservatory with a reliable air conditioning unit during the warm months.

Awnings and Blinds

If you are looking for a less expensive way to keep your conservatory cool, consider purchasing awnings or blinds. The majority of the heat in a conservatory is derived from sunrays beaming into the glass, therefore if you are able to cut off the light source, the room will become far more enjoyable. A benefit to be aware of in regards to awnings is that depending on weather conditions, you can extend your conservatory into your back yard so that there is even more room for enjoying the summer months. Blinds are also a great addition as they not only help to keep the heat out, but they give you privacy as well.

Window Film

As the essentially maintenance-free way to keep your conservatory cool, window film is an incredibly popular option. The majority of window films help to reflect over 75% of solar radiation, helping to keep the room at a comfortable and cool temperature. When you install window film it will remain on your conservatory windows throughout the year, helping to shield the sun even in the winter time. Window film is also an extra source of strength for the windows as it helps to provide a higher grade of impact performance.

28 May

What Does It Mean If Your Air Conditioning Unit Is Leaking Water?

Posted at 12:00 AM, 28 May 2014 by acladmin / Category: Articles / Tags: Air Conditioning, air conditioning maintenance

If you have spent money on an air conditioning unit then it stands to reason you are going to want it to last as long as possible. Investing in an air conditioning unit costs money so you need to make sure you maintain it properly. By keeping an eye on your unit and ensuring it is well maintained you have the best chance of it working as well as possible for as long as possible. One common problem with air conditioning units is that they start to leak water. If this is the case then you need to get it looked at as an air conditioning unit that is leaking water can mean a number of things.

A Broken Pump

Leaking water could be an indication that your condenser pump has stopped working correctly. If you want to test this yourself then you can by pouring a little water into the condenser pan. If it doesn’t seem to be able to pump out the excess effectively then this could be an indication that there is a problem.

Blocked Drain Hole

Another problem that could have taken place is that your drain hole has become blocked. This is an easily fixed problem. The best thing you can do is take off the front of your unit and simply see if any of the tubing or the drain hole is blocked – removing any dirt or debris that has caused the blockage will help to eradicate the problem.

Not Fitted Properly

If this probably has occurred on a newly fitted unit then it could be an indication that the installation was not done correctly. Common problems be that there is too much pressure to the unit or that it has not been fitted level. If the problem does start near to installation then you need to call the company who fitted it for you and get them to take a look.

The good news is that usually water leaking with an air conditioning unit is not an indication of anything serious. You can do some basic checks to see if it is something that you can spot yourself (for example a blocked drain hole) or call out an air conditioning engineer who will usually be able to fix the problem for you and hopefully be able to stop the problem occurring in the future.

21 May

Conservatory Air Conditioning – Prepare Yours For The Heat Of Summer

Posted at 12:00 AM, 21 May 2014 by acladmin / Category: Articles / Tags: Air Conditioning

If you have the space for it then having a conservatory built onto your home is a fantastic way to enjoy the summer. In the grand scheme of things we don’t really get that many days of sun, so it is vital that we make the best of the days we do get.

A conservatory is a lovely place to sit on your own or with loved ones and make the most of the sunshine, especially in the extra long summer evenings. The problem is that unless you have the right system installed they can become unbearably hot. You might think that having a conservatory installed as a suntrap is fantastic but when it becomes too hot to sit in there you’ll soon be wondering how you can get around the problem of too much heat.

Keeping The Room Cool

One of the best ways to do this is to make sure that you have an air conditioning unit installed. Of course when you come to looking at your air conditioning options there will be lots for you to choose from. The best thing you can do is spend time researching all of your options. It could even be worth speaking to the company you want to buy your unit from to see what they recommend for keeping a conservatory cool. The system that they recommend will probably depend on the size of your conservatory and your needs, but they can discuss all of this with you at the time.

Keeping Costs Down

If you want to have an air conditioning unit installed but are worried about the cost of running a unit then make sure that you also get blinds fitted to all the windows in your conservatory. These won’t really help to cool down a room but they can help when it comes to making sure that your room doesn’t get too hot too quickly by keeping direct sun light out.

Buying A Unit

If you want the perfect combination for a room then you want fitted venetian blinds together with an energy efficient air conditioning unit. There are lots of choices on the market for both of these so whatever you have in mind you should be able to find something that suits you without too many problems. After that you can get on with enjoying the sunshine in your conservatory without worrying about the heat being too much.

14 May

Is Solar Powered Air Conditioning A Viable Option?

Posted at 12:00 AM, 14 May 2014 by acladmin / Category: Articles / Tags: Air Conditioning

Unless you’re particularly into different technologies and want to try something new, then when you’re shopping for a new air conditioning unit you’re probably looking for one that is powered by electricity.

Electricity powered air conditioning units are by far the most common and if you’re just looking at air conditioning units in general then these will be the ones that you see most. If you are looking for this type of unit then it is important that you give some consideration to the running cost of your new air conditioner and not just the one off cost you are spending out to buy it.

A few years ago gas-powered air conditioner units were popular but these weren’t as efficient as they could have been. Nowadays we have natural gas to power these and so they are much more efficient than they were in the past. These units can be very effective and are generally recommended for larger areas.

The third option, which is slowly starting to become more popular is solar powered air conditioning units. There are two ways that you can run these and the set-up really depends on your personal needs and your personal preference.

You can either opt to buy an air conditioning unit that has been built and designed to be used specifically with solar panels. Often these cannot be then connected to mains power so you only have the solar power to rely on. Of course the running costs of a system like this are kept low, which is always a good thing.

The second option is to run a normal electric powered air conditioning unit but simply attach this to the solar panels on your roof – much like if you were to power your washing machine or other electrical items in your home. This works well because if you don’t have enough solar power to run the unit then it can usually easily switch to mains power so you don’t miss out.

Of course with any technology like this, it is a matter of looking into all of your options and what suits you best. The good thing about solar powered air conditioning units is that there are different options open to you, so whatever you are looking for you can be sure there will be something to suit both your needs and your budget.