Commercial Refrigeration Breakdowns - Is Your Business Prepared?

In the dynamic realm of the food and hospitality industry, the significance of reliable commercial refrigeration cannot be overstated. Despite rigorous cleaning, maintenance, and servicing, refrigeration units are not immune to breakdowns. These failures, caused by common wear or age, pose a serious challenge. In this article, we will explore the importance of refrigeration for businesses, the impact of breakdowns, and the essential strategies for effective management and prevention.

Refrigeration systems are the backbone of many businesses, particularly those in the food service and retail sectors. They are crucial for preserving the quality and safety of perishable products, maintaining health standards, and ensuring customer satisfaction. The loss of refrigeration, even for a short period, can lead to spoilage of goods, health hazards, and a significant dent in profits.

All equipment will break down at some time. You may be regimental in the cleaning, maintenance and servicing of equipment and follow the manufacturers manual to the letter, you may neglect and misuse refrigeration causing premature issues or alternatively, it may just be old, but it will break down. 

Obviously, the better the quality of equipment when you purchase it and the better you look after your refrigeration, using it for it's intended purpose and according to manufacturers recommendations, the more years it will last. Show it mistreatment and very little attention or scrimp on quality and it's lifetime will be considerably shorter. Experience shows that refrigeration systems are most likely to fail at the least convenient times, such as during peak business hours or crucial seasons like Christmas. 

This Murphy's Law scenario can wreak havoc, especially when large quantities of stock are at stake and the establishment is bustling with customers. All fridges and freezers are supplied with some form of commercial refrigeration warranty cover. This may be parts only or full parts and labour. We always recommend getting the longest warranty possible with the highest level of cover so that you have the manufacturers support should an issue arise. 

Top Tip: Always pay attention to the level of warranty cover for your chosen refrigeration at the point of purchase, as it cannot be updated at a later date.

When a breakdown occurs, the first step is to contact your equipment distributor or supplier. They will contact the manufacturer on your behalf. The following course of action will depend on the level of warranty cover. 

For full parts and labour warranties, the manufacturer will advise one of their engineers to attend site, diagnose the issue, order any parts if required and return to site at a later date to fix the equipment. 

Where a parts only warranty has been selected by the customer at the point of purchase, it will be the responsibility of the customer to organise and cover the cost of their own engineer to diagnose the issue. The engineers report should be passed on to the equipment distributor who will liaise with the manufacturer to send out the required parts. The engineer will then have to return to site to fix the issue, a cost that the customer is also liable for. 

Please Note: Some distributors will request a refundable deposit prior to a warranty call out. If the attending engineer states that the issue is due to equipment failure or manufacturer fault then the total deposit is immediately refunded. Where the issue is deemed by an engineer to be due to user error or is a problem with elements that aren't covered under warranty terms and conditions, such as glass or seals, the deposit will be retained to cover the cost of the engineer as this will be classed as a non-warranty call out. If the cost of a non-warranty call-out is greater than the total of the deposit the customer will be liable to pay the outstanding bill.

It's essential to have a robust relationship with your supplier and a clear understanding of your warranty terms to ensure swift action.

However, what happens if your refrigeration system fails during a critical time like the festive season, when manufacturers and engineers are less accessible? This is where having a contingency plan becomes indispensable. Relying on a single refrigerator or freezer is a risky strategy, as it introduces a single point of failure to the business.

To mitigate this risk, it's prudent to have backup equipment. This includes additional fridges or freezers that can provide a safe holding place for stock should main equipment fail. This means that money isn't lost on unusable stock that must be thrown away should your main refrigeration fail and service can continue as normal so loss of trade and earnings isn't an issue. Having suitable alternatives to your primary refrigeration units can provide much needed security in case of a breakdown.

This extra refrigeration doesn't need to be redundant until it's needed in an emergency though. It can be used for surplus stock throughout the year and it can offer extra refrigerated storage to ease the load during exceptionally busy periods of the year or if your business expands. 

Investing in quality equipment enhances performance, efficiency, and longevity, reducing the likelihood of unexpected failures. Regular cleaning and maintenance are critical to maximising the lifespan and performance of refrigeration units alongside annual servicing by qualified engineers.

Tefcold are a popular solution for primary commercial refrigeration units, due to their combination of performance, efficiency and build quality in relation to price, however also serve the purpose of backup refrigeration well. The attractive price point makes Tefcold refrigeration accessible to the majority of businesses and with such a wide product range, can fulfil the demands of any operation, be it a kitchen, bar or shop. 

The attractive price point makes Tefcold refrigeration accessible to the majority of businesses and with such a wide product range, Tefcold bottle coolers, Tefcold display fridges, Tefcold multidecks and Tefcold prep counts, ensuring that these units can fulfil the demands of any sized operation.

What's more the Tefcold brand offers adaptable warranty options, from parts-only (suitable for those with access to their own engineers) to comprehensive 12 or 24-month labour cover for those seeking full warranty security. This also helps customers to tailor their equipment and budget to the services that they may already have at their disposal.

While regular maintenance can significantly reduce the risk of refrigeration breakdowns, being prepared for such eventualities is vital. This preparation includes investing in quality equipment, maintaining robust relationships with suppliers, having backup units, and understanding your warranty coverage. By taking these steps, your business can weather the challenges posed by refrigeration breakdowns, ensuring continuity and customer satisfaction even in the face of unexpected challenges.