4 Common Causes of Ice Build-Ups In Commercial Refrigerators
Commercial refrigerators are often one of a business's most vital parts, so any issues can result in significant downtime and costly repairs. One common issue is a build-up of ice within the refrigerator. Even though refrigerators are designed to keep things cool, any noticeable build-up of ice can place added stress on key components and hint at deeper underlying problems.
With that in mind, here are just four common reasons why commercial refrigerators develop ice build-ups.
1. Poor Temperature Control
In some cases, a commercial refrigerator will develop ice build-ups simply because the temperature is set too low, so this is one of the first things you should check. However, you may find that ice build-ups don't go away even when the temperature dial is adjusted. This may be down to a faulty temperature gauge. When this part develops problems, your refrigerator may think it is warmer than it actually is and compensate by trying to further reduce the temperature, which can cause ice to develop.
2. Warm Air Infiltration
When warm air enters a refrigerator and mixes with cold air, the vapour will condense and begin to form ice. This may simply be happening because your employees are leaving the door open for too long or bringing products in when they are too warm. However, you may also be looking at deeper problems. If the door seal has started to fail, warm air will be able to get in even when the door is closed. Insulation can also start to fail after years of use, which means hot air will be able to enter more easily.
3. Dirty Coils
Condenser coils will usually be found at either the bottom or back of a commercial refrigerator, and they're vital for proper heat dissipation. Unfortunately, they can become dirty over time, which means your compressor will have to start working harder. This often means that temperatures get too cold, resulting in ice build-ups. Dirty coils also cause stress to other key parts, so they may eventually create serious damage.
4. Faulty Fan
Your commercial refrigerator will use an evaporator fan to push air over the cold coils and into the storage area. When the fan does not work correctly, excessive frost and ice can develop, especially over the coils. When this happens, you may also notice that your refrigerator no longer gets as cold as it should. Faulty fans can sometimes be repaired, but it's often better to have them replaced entirely once they start to go bad.
Contact a professional to learn more about refrigeration repair.