Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Tag: Commercial Refrigeration

 Ice Machine Repair

If you own and/or operate a dining establishment or a bar, regardless of whether or not it is a casual lunch spot or an upscale dining destination, your clientele with definitely have some expectations coming in. Among them is the chance to enjoy an icy cold beverage from the bar or soda fountain. If you cannot provide the customer with ice for his or her beverage–let alone your staff with ice for keeping food fresh leading up to preparation–then you are going to have serious issues to deal with.

That is why it is so important that your ice machine is kept in great working condition. Ice machines are relatively simple systems, charged with handling just one task: making ice! Just because they are simple in theory does not mean that they will operate perfectly, though. These systems work hard, and that wear and tear can take a toll. We have some tips to help you recognize the need for ice machine repair in Loveland, CO.

What to Look Out For

As is the case with any appliance or commercial refrigeration system, your ice machine may suffer from a number of different operational issues. Because of this, there are a number of potential warning signs to keep in mind. Not every problem will manifest in the same way, so be sure to keep these indicators in mind.

  1. Leaks: If you see water surrounding your ice machine, you need to contact us right away. This not only indicates that you may have a leak in the supply line, wasting water that you are paying for, but you may also have a damaged receptacle. It could be letting heat in and allowing ice to melt. Whatever the case, wet floors in your establishment are also a big reliability.
  2. Reduced output: Have you been flipping open the ice machine to grab a fresh scoop, only to find that it just is not filling up despite having been given what used to be adequate time for doing so? Then you could have an issue with incoming water temperature or water flow rates.
  3. Loud operating sounds: Your ice machine is not going to operate silently. You may hear water being delivered, and you’ll hear ice dropping into the collection bin. If your ice machine is making strange new sounds, though, or if it is just making louder noises than ever before, contact us. Ignoring the problem is only going to increase the risk of more serious repair needs.
  4. Foul taste or odor: If you notice that your ice tastes bad or has a foul odor, you may need to change a filter and/or give the bin a thorough cleaning. If that doesn’t seem to do the trick, though, you should contact a professional to have your water tested. You could have low-quality water, and that could have implications for the health of your patrons.

Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning proudly installs and services Manitowoc Ice & Soda Machines. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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Commercial property owners in our area commercial ice machineknow that they can turn to our team for great commercial refrigeration services in Timnath, CO. We are now proud to announce that we are also an authorized Manitowoc Dealer. We install and service ice machines and soda machines from this manufacturer, and we are proud to do so. They make some of the finest products on the market, and their dedication to excellence matches our own. It is important to remember, however, that even the best commercial refrigeration equipment on the market can run into trouble from time to time.

If and when you do run into issues with your commercial ice machine, keep the following information in mind. In some cases, you may be able to troubleshoot the issue on your own. In other instances, professional commercial refrigeration services will be necessary. If this is the case, you can always count on our technicians for a job well done.

Problems That You May Encounter

It will probably come as no surprise to hear this, but many of the problems that commonly affect ice machines have to do with the water the system uses. It may also have to do with the delivery system for that water. If water isn’t reaching the machine properly, or if there are issues with water quality, you can expect problems to develop.

  • Water is leaking into the machine. When you scoop ice out of your ice machine, is it a watery mess? If so, you may have a leak that is funneling water directly into the bin. This could happen if there is a leaky valve or loose connection.
  • Are your cubes too small, or of an uneven size? Does it seem like you generally don’t have a full supply of ice at the ready? This could be an issue with low water flow. You could have a blockage in your water line, or a leak somewhere in that line before it reaches the machine.
  • Is your system shutting down frequently or overheating? Where is it stored? If the air surrounding the system is too warm, then you may run into such operational problems. If this is the case, cooling that area or moving the ice machine may be necessary in order to resolve the problem.
  • Is your ice cloudy? Does it have a foul odor or a strange taste? You can try emptying out the system and cleaning the bin if so. However, if this does not resolve the problem, you may have an issue with the water quality on your property. A water treatment system may be needed.
  • Are there flecks or spots of discoloration in the ice? If so, you probably need to be more vigilant in changing the filter of your ice machine. These systems are straightforward in their operation, but they do need some basic maintenance completed regularly.
  • Is your system shutting down before filling the bin? Is it making strange sounds? You could have any number of issues with your compressor, or even a refrigerant leak. Such problems must be diagnosed and resolved by trained professionals.

Let Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning handle all of your ice and soda machine service needs. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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If you own a small grocery or an eatery, then you likely have a fair amount of commercial refrigeration equipment in your property. Regardless of the size and scale of your operation, it is vital that your commercial refrigeration equipment, including your commercial coolers, are in great working condition. That is why you should learn some of the signs that there is a problem with your commercial coolers. That way, you can have any problems resolved before your system suffers serious damages.

Following are a few common signs of trouble with commercial coolers. Be sure to contact our technicians if you notice any such problems in your property.

 

Water Leaks

You definitely do not want to see any water pooling in or around your commercial cooler. Not only is this a safety hazard, but it could also indicate a potentially serious problem with your commercial refrigeration equipment. It could be a case of excessive condensation in the cooler, or it may be a sign of a subpar installation. Whatever the situation, count on us to resolve the problem.

Open Doors

Are you careful to completely close the doors of your commercial coolers whenever you are through with them, only to find them apparently popping open of their own accord time and time again? It is a seriously aggravating issue, and it can likely be repaired with relative ease by one of our technicians. The latch or closure assist may be compromised, or you may have problems with your gasket. Again, our team is here to ensure that the problem is correctly diagnosed and resolved.

Ice

Your commercial cooler or freezer is not an ice machine. If you see ice developing in your commercial refrigeration equipment, you need to contact us know right away. Perhaps you’ve got an iced-over evaporator coil, or gaps in the seals of your system are allowing for condensation to build and ice to develop. You don’t want to put the integrity of your system or its performance at risk, so prompt repairs are in your best interest.

Let Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning handle your commercial refrigeration services in Loveland, CO.

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Whatever type of business you may be in, you need to know that any necessary commercial refrigeration equipment is in fine working condition at all times. This can be trickier than you may realize, though, as commercial refrigeration equipment is put to extremely heavy use, at all times of the day and night. All of this use will, naturally, result in some general wear and tear.

To ensure that serious problems do not develop with your system, routine maintenance is an absolute necessity. Of course, even well-maintained systems will run into operational problems from time to time. When you notice problems develop with your system, contact the Fort Collins, CO commercial refrigeration experts on our staff immediately. Let Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning know if you discover any of these common problems with your commercial refrigeration equipment.

  1. Frost or Ice Develops: If you notice frost and/or ice in your commercial refrigeration equipment, or on its various components, then you may wonder precisely what the problem is. After all, this equipment is designed to keep things cool. Doesn’t this mean, then, that frost and ice are good things? The answer, in fact, is no; you should not see frost or ice developing in your system. It may be the result of poor airflow, or you may have a refrigerant leak. Whatever the precise nature of the problem may be, though, you can count on our staff to resolve it entirely.
  2. Trouble Maintaining Temperatures: On the opposite end of the spectrum, you may find that the refrigerated space within your commercial refrigeration equipment is acually not cold enough. You may have bad seals on doors, a problem with your compressor, or, again, refrigerant leaks. It could also be a case of simple user error, or a malfunctioning thermostat. Again, it is always best to have a trained professional evaluate the system when problems develop.
  3. Loud Operational Levels: You can expect to hear some noise coming from your commercial refrigeration equipment. After all, it has fans, motors, a compressor, and other mechanical components. You should not hear excessive noise when it is running, though, nor should new, unfamiliar sounds develop. If you notice anything at all out of the ordinary with your system, schedule service with the pros on our staff immediately.
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If you run a company that depends on storing refrigerated food and liquid, you cannot rely on typical residential systems. You need powerful and roomy refrigerators that can run constantly and maintain steady temperatures without regular repair needs. Commercial refrigeration is a specialized skill, and when you need new installation for your business, you should turn to experts for assistance.

For your commercial refrigeration needs in Fort Collins, CO, trust to a company with eight decades of service to Northern Colorado. Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning has been in business since 1934, and we take pride in the quality we offer our commercial customers.

Here are 3 thing to specifically look for in a commercial refrigerator

  1. Excellent energy efficiency: Energy-efficiency for residential refrigerators is usually not a major factor, but it definitely is when it comes to commercial systems, which are large enough to run up immense costs to operate if they are inefficient. You should look for the ENERGY STAR label on any commercial air conditioner you are thinking of installing; this means it has received approval from the U.S. Department of Energy for superior energy-efficient performance.
  2. Correct sizing: Make sure you know how much you need to store, and find a refrigerator with the inside dimensions to match. Going strictly by the outside dimensions can be misleading. Also remember that the larger the refrigerator, the more it will cost to run, so look for the perfect balance of size, budget, and function.
  3. Compressor location: Commercial refrigerators will come with either top-mount or bottom-mount compressors that circulate the refrigerant. What’s the difference between the two? Top-mounted compressors cost more initially but last longer, and they have an easier time removing heat from inside the unit because heat rises. Bottom-mount compressors cost less to install and often have more storage, but have shorter service lives. Because they exhaust heat at the bottom of the unit, bottom-mount compressors will result in raising the temperature of the rooms they are in.

If you have a quality commercial refrigeration service working with you, you will not have to worry about making the choice entirely on your own. A technician will help you with sizing, energy-efficiency, and compressor location so that you end up with the ideal refrigerator for your business.

Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning has commercial refrigeration specialists who are ready to assist you with finding the ideal new refrigerator for your company. Call us today to set up an appointment or initial consultation.

Whether you run a restaurant, cafeteria, or banquet hall, our services for commercial refrigeration in Fort Collins, CO will provide you with exactly what you need.

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