As the weather warms up and students return from winter break, Tucson restaurants and other foodservice businesses will get busier and busier. One of the best ways to prepare for your busy season is to get ahead of AC and refrigeration maintenance. When you are proactive about scheduling inspections, tune-ups, and maintenance for your systems, you’re less likely to experience a breakdown that results in costly and inconvenient downtime for your business. Here is a checklist for late-winter refrigeration maintenance that every Tucson business owner should use.
Check and Clean the Ice Machine
If your ice maker is part of your commercial refrigerator, it may have a self-cleaning function. Check the manual to determine how to clean the unit, and only use recommended ice maker cleaning agents that are safe and nontoxic. If your business has a freestanding commercial ice machine, now is the perfect time to handle semiannual cleaning tasks:
- Remove all of the ice and drain the unit.
- Take out any removable parts and clean them according to the machine’s manual.
- Do a deep clean of the bin drain and bin, and sanitize the bin.
- Check the evaporator coils and dust and clean them if needed.
- Check the manual to see if you need to adjust the ice level sensor or thermostat.
Inspect all Freezer and Refrigeration Components
Next, inspect all visible exterior and interior components of your freezer and refrigeration systems. This includes commercial walk-ins, freestanding refrigerator and freezer units, freezer chests, and refrigerated cases. If you notice any issues, call to schedule commercial refrigeration maintenance. Look for visible signs of damage, including cracks, leaks, mold or mildew, loose parts, and corrosion or rust on the:
- Hoses and lines
- Gaskets
- Seals
- Handles and hinges
- Locks
- Hardware
- Insulation
- Gauges and timers
- Thermostat
- Condenser coils
- Compressor
- Electrical wires and plugs
- Motors
Schedule Preventive Maintenance
Finally, call your commercial cooling and heating company to schedule preventive maintenance. Maintenance should be completed seasonally or semiannually, but you can make an appointment during your business’ slow periods so that you won’t risk inconveniencing employees or customers. You should also make an appointment if you notice any problems during your inspection of your refrigeration units. Your refrigeration contractor will:
- Pressure clean condenser coils and drains.
- Check temperature and humidity levels.
- Cycle through all system settings.
- Check and refill refrigerant.
- Inspect all gaskets, seals, hinges, locks, and door closers.
- Clean and lubricate components.
- Evaluate unit wiring, insulation, compressor, and motor.
- Maintain a detailed record of inspection results, cleaning and maintenance, and upcoming repairs needed.
Call Now to Schedule HVAC and Refrigeration Maintenance
If you have been Googling, “refrigeration company near me in Tucson, AZ” contact B & J Refrigeration now. Our commercial refrigeration contractors have decades of experience in the industry, and we offer 24/7 emergency commercial cooling and heating services to local businesses. We can inspect your refrigeration system and perform all necessary maintenance to make sure it operates smoothly and efficiently throughout the spring and summer. Let us help you avoid costly repairs and downtime by providing proactive check-ups and tune-ups for your commercial HVAC and refrigeration systems. Contact us online to make an appointment.