When Should I Upgrade My Commercial Refrigeration?

Commercial fridges and freezers are the backbone of any catering or hospitality industry. Because so many food products must be maintained at a cold temperature (before and after cooking), food operatives, chefs and catering managers depend upon commercial refrigerators to preserve their products and keep customers safe.

Therefore when your refrigeration shows signs of wear or malfunction, catering managers or business owners should consider upgrading this vital asset. Depending on how much wear and tear the appliance sustains and how well it’s maintained and used, commercial refrigeration should last an average of ten years, more if it is regularly serviced.

Commercial refrigeration efficiency is vital to any food service or hospitality business. Proper commercial refrigeration maintenance to keep your refrigeration working ensures food safety, which has a knock-on effect on efficient and timely food preparation, service, and energy efficiency. 

The knock-on effect of poor refrigeration is wasted time, spoilt food and an overall lack of efficiency throughout the business leading to staff despondency and lack of confidence in food quality. Without proper commercial refrigeration, your catering business could suffer from poor food quality, increased energy costs, and even legal consequences. 

Having a commercial fridge or freezer that works effectively and efficiently is ultimately the difference between a thriving catering business and a failing operation.

It is crucial to upgrade your commercial refrigeration at the right time to maintain efficiency. An outdated system will decrease performance, leading to unstable temperatures and increased breakdowns. There are a wide range of energy efficient products on the market with Energy Ratings of A & B from Tefcold. 

One of the most common signs that your commercial refrigeration unit is failing is when it can’t maintain a consistently cold internal temperature. A modern appliance will keep its contents at a average consistent temperature of 2.2 - 3.3°C approx.  Large or dramatic temperature fluctuations indicate a problem, especially if the fridge struggles to keep food under a safe 4.4°C. The operating temperature and acceptable fluctuations will obviously depend on the contents being stored.

Many factors can cause unstable temperatures, like flaws in the sealing system, faulty door gaskets, worn hinges and damaged panelling. These are just some of the factors that can cause cold air to escape causing the compressor to work harder and, in turn, drive up energy costs. Choosing between constant repairs or replacement is never easy, especially when money is tight. However, if the repair estimate is more than half of a new modern unit, the choice is a no-brainer- replace, cut your losses and choose a new modern commercial refrigerator!

If the unit does not respond to repair or has been repaired too often, the motor will eventually give out, malfunctioning, causing loss of food products and losing time and revenue. 

Choosing between constant repairs or replacement is never easy, especially when money is tight. However, if the repair estimate is more than half of a new modern unit, the choice is a no-brainer- replace, cut your losses and choose a new modern commercial refrigerator!

If you have had your appliance for over ten years, replacing this appliance automatically means you save money. Modern commercial refrigeration efficiency is uppermost in designing and manufacturing new appliances. While upgrading costs more upfront, business owners can save thousands each year in energy costs alone. 

Coupled with the incentive programs available (Annual Investment Allowance) scheme, the investment could pay for itself in five years or less. Read more about the Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) scheme. 

More importantly, upgrading your appliances before they cause you loss of income is vital; here at FFD Commercial Refrigeration, we have various options available to buyers, including iWoca pay in 3 interest free and leasing options.

So when choosing your new commercial refrigeration, you should consider the type of appliance you need, the size of your catering or hospitality business, the capacity required from your machine, the energy rating, and the ease of cleaning and maintenance. With A & B rated equipment for a wide range of uses and in a choice of sizes and capacities, such as the Tefcold DB201H Double Door Bottle Cooler, Tefcold LGC5000 Double Glass Door Fridge and Tefcold RK710 Upright Fridge, upgrading has never made more sense from a business and financial perspective.

When buying new commercial refrigeration, the other essential areas to consider are your preferred brand, available or extended warranty length, and your budget. To help you make the right purchase for your business, why not look at our handy buying guides for all types of storage refrigeration and display refrigeration as well as commercial ice machines, cold rooms, cellar and keg cooling and blast chillers and freezers.