Whether you run a pub or café, your bottle cooler is likely to be one of your most valuable assets and also one of your biggest energy drains. This is why ensuring your chiller is working to maximum efficiency is sound business practise. Whilst some companies use predictive maintenance such as infrared thermography, which can detect problems early, it’s still essential that you have a preventative maintenance plan in place. The following five steps will help optimise chiller efficiency.
1. Keep The Tubes Clean
Unkempt tubes are the fastest route to chiller inefficiency. There are two methods of cleaning: mechanical cleaning, which deals with algae, sludge and loose materials, and chemical cleaning, which is carried out to remove lime scale buildup. Both are equally important and should ideally be carried out in tandem periodically.
2. Eliminating Leaks
Ideally, you need to check for leaks every three months. Leaks can happen for a number of reasons, but the repercussions can be costly both in terms of inefficiency and fixing tubes damaged by worsening leaks.
3. Maintain a daily log
A daily operating log may seem time-consuming, but it’s the first step in keeping commercial bottle coolers such as those found at https://www.fridgefreezerdirect.co.uk/commercial-bottle-coolers/double-door-under-counter-bottle-coolers in optimum condition. Comparing daily results to how the chiller performed when it was first purchased is a good way to see how well it is performing.
4. Water Treatment
If your fridge has a closed water system, you only need to chemically treat the water once. If it has an open system, water needs to be treated periodically. Treating the water will reduce lime scale build up and corrosion along with dreaded biological growth.
5. Yearly Oil and Refrigerant Testing.
The oil and refrigerant that help make your chiller work need to be chemically analysed every year. This can help you detect possible problems before they happen. Unlike the above steps, this needs to be carried out by an outsourced expert.
These five steps are advanced tips for commercial units and should be carried out in addition to everyday fridge and chiller tips for energy efficiency such as keeping them away from ovens.
Following these maintenance tips will ensure your chillers work for a longer time, saving you both time and money in the long term.