The Ultimate Guide To Walk-In Coolers & Freezers

Last Modified: 12/23/24

Walk-in coolers and freezers can extend the longevity of your degradable supplies for several weeks. Depending on the treatment, the item can seem nearly as fresh as when suppliers first made it available. Of course, storing items that degrade over time depends on what kind of preservation you want and keeping up with storage maintenance. Here’s what you need to know about these walk-in coolers and choose the best option for your home or business.

Are There Differences Between Walk-In Coolers And Freezers?

Coolers and freezers have the same overall goal: to retain the freshness of a product. The systems they use to accomplish this are similar but have different applicable uses and preservation times.

Coolers keep food, flowers, and other organic matter as fresh as possible without completely freezing them. Walk-in freezers in Burlington, NC, and nearby cities ensure you can store large amounts of perishable, high-quality items for long periods.

How Do Walk-In Coolers and Freezers Work?

These storage units use the same kind of system as an air conditioner:

• An evaporator coil and condenser coil sit in two different sections of the system, allowing refrigerant to travel through them.
• An internal air controller blows indoor air over the evaporator coil for the refrigerant to absorb heat energy.
• The indoor air, now lacking heat, blows back into the desired location.
• The coil sends the reheated refrigerant to the evaporator coil, where a fan will blow air to cool the chemical back down.

This cycle continues to release heat outside and keep temperatures low indoors. The FDA recommends that coolers or refrigerators work at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit while freezers stay at zero degrees.

Similar Systems Sometimes Means Similar Repair Needs

At Barber Heating and Air, our technicians have the training and experience needed to address common problems with walk-in freezers in Mebane, NC. As we have provided cooler and freezer repair, we’ve noticed some similarities between HVAC and refrigeration problems, such as:

• Water leaks
• Leaky ductwork
• Unpleasant smells
• Noisy components
• Poor air circulation
• Unwanted frost buildup
• Inconsistent temperatures

That said, we also account for special appliance issues, tools, and working conditions. While we don’t recommend hiring a refrigeration specialist to handle AC repairs and maintenance, we do suggest working with our trained technicians who are trained in both specialities.

Moreover, the consequences of poor food and product maintenance influence more than a single household. Water leaks can cause dangerous slips and falls, while poor storage can spread foodborne illnesses. Consistent refrigeration maintenance can keep walk-in appliances and those who use them safe.

Are There Different Kinds Of Walk-in Coolers?

You have various choices when looking for walk-in coolers in our service area. Many possibilities exist, but we can sum them up into two main types: built-in and prefabricated.

Businesses obtain built-in units by hiring refrigeration experts to custom-build the space using structural tiles and insulation. Built-in systems fit precisely to client specifications, but it can be hard to change aspects of the unit later. You also can’t ever move it elsewhere.

Prefabricated units can fit into different buildings and spaces, making them easy to relocate and alter. While you cannot change some preset unit aspects, you can move the unit during construction changes or to a new building. At Barber Heating and Air, we proudly offer walk-in cooler and freezer installations and maintenance services on various kinds of systems.

Questions to Ask While Choosing Your Unit

To find the best system for your home or business, you should ask yourself several questions to reduce your options. These questions can help sort through available units and weed out ones that don’t fit your requirements.

1. Cooler or Freezer?

How do you know if you need walk-in freezers or walk-in coolers in Burlington, NC? It depends on what temperature range you will need for your products. People running a floral shop buy coolers so the flowers don’t get frostbitten and die from being at such cold temperatures. Businesses that store fish to ship to other locations often use walk-in freezers to keep the meat fresh. Restaurants and hotels may use both for their various food items.

2. What’s the Budget, and How Much Room Do You Need?

As with most things, the larger it is, the more it will cost. In this case, you should generally expect to spend more money on a larger walk-in unit than a smaller one.

You can expect one cubic foot of space to hold roughly 25 pounds of product. We recommend calculating how much product you may need at any particular time in addition to the room you’ll need to walk. You can always ask one of our technicians to help you if you aren’t sure.

3. Doors, Panels, and Floors?

Your system components can affect how much cooling power and storage you can get within your budget:

• Insulated panels work like insulated walls in a house, helping keep the appliance and the products inside at the right temperature. Popular and efficient panel materials may cost more upfront but can save money later. Consider getting a unit with 3 ½ to 5-inch thick stainless steel, aluminum-coated steel, or aluminum panels.
• You will need appropriate doors to keep cool air in and hot air, insects, and pollutants out. Some options include air curtains that create a wind barrier and man doors made of rigid foam and galvanized steel.
• Most prefabricated units come with bases made using similar materials as the wall panels. However, some come without floors, able to fit with any preexisting flooring inside the building. The latter option may cost less, but the former option may provide more thorough cooling.

Call Barber To Maintain Your Walk-in Cooler

Once you’ve obtained the right unit, you’ll need to schedule regular maintenance to keep it functioning. Maintenance can include removing mold and mildew, cleaning important components, and more. At Barber Heating & Air, we help install and maintain walk-in coolers and freezers in and around Burlington, NC. With proper refrigeration maintenance, you can save on your energy expenses while keeping your products, employees, and customers safe. Call our top-notch customer support team at (336) 226-6959 to schedule an appointment or ask for advice today!