A cold room breakdown can prove devastating to a business. Valuable stock can be ruined in hours leaving business owners out of pocket. Why Is Your Cold Room Not Cooling? In most cases the cause will be simple dirty parts or worn or damaged seals or a minor fault in the controls. This article will explain ten common problems in simple language and examine what checks can be made and when expert help is needed.

what To Do First When Your Cold Room Breaks Down

It is vital that you remain calm. Taking a few simple immediate actions will protect your stock while you investigate the cause of the failure.

• Leave the door closed as much as possible
• Check the temperature display and note the reading
• Ensure that the power is on and the circuit breaker has not tripped
• Move foodstuffs into a backup fridge if the cold room remains warm
• Do not attempt to take off any panels or inspect the cooling unit
• If the cold room does not recover its normal temperature within a short time call in an emergency service. A quick response from emergency cooling support can save the contents of your cold room.

Leave the door closed as much as possible
Check the temperature display and note the reading
Ensure that the power is on and the circuit breaker has not tripped
Move foodstuffs into a backup fridge if the cold room remains warm
Do not attempt to take off any panels or inspect the cooling unit
If the cold room does not recover its normal temperature within a short time call in an emergency service. A quick response from emergency cooling support can save the contents of your cold room.

Problem 1 Dirty or Frozen Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil is situated in the room and removes heat from the air. Over time the coil can become dirty or iced up preventing the free movement of air. This restricts the cooling performance of the cold room.
Signs heavy frost on the unit and reduced airflow from the fan
Solution: A qualified engineer can clean the coil and check the defrost cycle. The coil should be cleaned regularly to maintain a good airflow and reduce energy consumption.

Problem 2 Worn Door Seals

Door seals protect the internal temperature of the cold room by stopping warm air entering. Seals degrade over time leaving a permanent source of warm air ingress. This forces the cooling system to work much harder than it should.
Signs gaps at the edges of the door frost around the door frame and a poorly closing door
Solution: Replacing worn door seals should be a priority. Check seals are not damaged monthly and replace if necessary. Correct seals are much cheaper than ruined stock.

Problem 3: Door Left Open Too Often

In a busy kitchen or warehouse doors are opened hundreds of times per day. Every time the door is opened warm air is let in. This may prevent the cold room recovering its correct temperature.
Signs higher temperatures during the day and cooler temperatures at night
Solution: Train staff to remember to close the door and fit strip curtains or a door alarm. Warehouses should consider fitting rapid roll doors which open and close instantly.

Problem 4 Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant gas is used to absorb the heat from the cold room. If there is a leak in the system the gas is lost. The system will continue to run but will fail to cool the room effectively.
Signs the system running constantly, frosted pipes and oily residue near fittings
Solution: Refrigerant gas leaks should only be repaired by trained professionals. In the UK companies must haveF-Gascertification to handle refrigerant gas. An engineer will locate and repair the leak and recharge the system.

Problem 5 Faulty Thermostat or Controller

A controller monitors the temperature of the cold room and signals the system to turn on and off. If the controller is faulty the thermostat can give incorrect readings. This can cause the system to fail to turn on or off at the correct time.
Signs incorrect temperature display
Solution: Check the reading against a separate thermometer and contact an engineer to recalibrate or replace the controller.

Problem 6 Dirty Condenser Coil

The condensing unit is usually mounted outside the cold room and expels the waste heat from the system. Debris such as leaves or dirt or oil can build up on the coil restricting the airflow. This causes the compressor to work harder.
Signs excessively hot condensing unit, noisy operation and slow cooling
Solution: Schedule regular maintenance with an engineer to clean the condenser coil. Clear the area around the unit to ensure unrestricted airflow.

Problem 7 Broken Fan Motor

The fan circulates cold air around the cold room and removes hot air from the evaporator. A faulty motor will stop the fans running resulting in pockets of warm air developing.
Signs no airflow unusual noise or fan not running
Solution: The fan motor will require repair or replacement. A company with stock vans can often provide a first visit repair service.

Problem 8: Too Much Stock Hindering Airflow

A fully stocked cold room may look impressive but can prevent the free movement of air around the evaporator coil. The cold air produced by the coil will be trapped preventing the entire room cooling down.
Signs warm areas in the room and cold areas around the coil
Solution: Leave a reasonable gap between stock and the walls and the evaporator coil. Keep stock off the floor and adhere to a simple rule of thumb not to block fans.

Problem 9 Compressor Failure

The compressor is the heart of the system and pumps the refrigerant gas around the circuit. Problems with the compressor can cause the system to fail completely.
Signs clicking or humming noise failed to start or a tripped circuit breaker
Solution The electrical supply to the compressor should be checked by an engineer. They will be able to ascertain whether a faulty component is the cause or if the whole system needs to be replaced. Regular servicing will reduce the chances of this costly problem occurring..

Problem 10: Faulty Defrost System

During the normal operation of the cold room a layer of ice will build up on the evaporator coil. The defrost system periodically heats the coil to melt the ice down. If the heater or timer fails the ice will continue to build up ultimately blocking the coil.
Signs: heavy frost on the coil, floor wetness or warm room after a defrost cycle
Solution: An engineer will check the heater timer and sensor and replace any faulty components.

How To Avoid Common Cold Room Problems

Most of the problems outlined can be avoided by following a simple ongoing maintenance schedule.
Arrange servicing at least a few times per year
Record the internal temperature of the cold room on a daily basis
Check door seals are not worn or damaged every month
Avoid overstocking the room
Keep the area around the unit clear
Train staff to close the door
A good maintenance schedule will spot minor faults before they become expensive problems. It will also reduce the amount of electricity used by the system helping to reduce running costs.

When To Call An Expert

In this article, we have highlighted some of the basic cold room maintenance tasks that should be performed routinely. If your cold room is not operating correctly, refrain from trying to fix the problem. Always call in a professional service provider. You should contact a technician if the unit fails to cool, suspected gas leak, or if you notice that the coil is frosted.
ColdTec Cooling Service(https://cold-tec.co.uk/) provides rapid cold room repair services to businesses across the country. The company’s qualified engineers are F-Gas certified and Refcom approved.They carry common spares in their vans and use genuine Copeland and Bitzer parts. Contract customers also have the option of 24 hour emergency cover.

FAQs

What is the most common reason a cold room stops cooling?
Dirty coils and worn door seals are the two most common causes of breakdowns. Both are easily spotted with regular checks.

For how long can food be stored if my cold room fails?
It depends on the type of food and how warm the room becomes. In most cases close the door and try to move foodstuffs to a back up fridge as soon as possible. 

Can I fix a refrigerant leak myself?
No only certified engineers are allowed to handle refrigerant gas in the UK. It is illegal for untrained personnel to attempt repairs.

How often should cold rooms be serviced?
A good service schedule is vital to the long term health of your system. Most companies offer a four visit a year maintenance package.

Why does my freezer room keep icing up?
The most likely causes are worn door seals and a faulty defrost system. Warm air entering the room can also cause excessive frosting. An engineer can identify the cause.

Conclusion

If your system is constantly failing speak to a team who provide industrial refrigeration services https://cold-tec.co.uk and arrange a comprehensive inspection. A quick and simple repair now can save you thousands in wasted stock in the long term.

Contact Us

Name: ColdTec Cooling Service

Phone: 020 3773 1250 +442037731250

Email: info@cold-tec.co.uk

Address: Unit 7 177 Hook Road Surbiton KT6 5AR

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