Energy Saving Tips for Coolrooms
27 March 2017If a coolroom is eating into the company energy budget, an all in caps “Keep That Door Shut” sign works wonders. That sign can stay, but we’re going to add a little more potency to this energy savings plan by suggesting a few essential tips. Once armed with this information, every staff member will know exactly how to keep any walk-in cooler in optimal working condition.
Protect Cabinet Gaskets
Tough elastomers compress reliably when coolroom doors open and close. However, that dependable property wears down over time. Check the gaskets for cracks or signs of wear. Sometimes the seal is exposed to a grimy hand or a slightly corrosive fluid. A milk spill, for example, is harmless, but the sticky, acidic fluid could combine with a dirty stain to weaken the seal. A periodic cleaning routine averts such events.
Refrigeration Unit Maintenance
Even if the powered compressor is humming happily, it may be gorging on the coolers energy. Refrigerators work as efficient enclosure coolers, but their energy eating habits increase over time. Check the refrigerator coils for dirt and grime deposits. This thick coating can affect cooling efficiency, so arrange for a coil cleaning procedure at least twice a year.
Encourage Airflow Proficiency
Airflow patterns in an enclosed walk-in cooler are relatively easy to predict. Just make sure all stored commodities are optimally arranged so that airflow dead spots are eliminated. Stack all cans and boxes closely together. Better yet, purchase wireframe storage shelves. These shelving units are designed to promote airflow, to remove potential obstructions from the chilly cabinet.
Working with Unit Capacity
At the bottom end of the coolroom scale, special reach-in cabinets avoid energy wastage by eliminating the man-sized spaces we employ in walk-in chambers. Use these devices for storing small beverage containers and dairy products. They’re modular appliances, which means each one is equipped with a small power consumption footprint. Then, when the reach-in enclosures are full, turn to the larger walk-in coolers to accommodate a grander storage plan.
The first line of defence crops up at the door and its gaskets. Keep that defence strong by training staff members to make sure the entryway is properly closed after it has been accessed. Clean the seals, the refrigerator coils, and do ensure all airflow obstacles are removed from the coolroom. Many specialist retailers offer proprietary wireframe shelving units for this purpose, so take advantage of these outlets. Finally, incorporate a maintenance service, an expert contractor who will keep the cooling gear in tip-top shape all year around.
Mark Connelly
C&M Coolroom Services
E-mail: markconnelly@cmcoolrooms.com.au
Mobile: 0412 536 315
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