Refrigeration

Save money on service calls! Check these things first.

Before you call us, here are a few things that you can check in order to potentially save yourself some time and money.

  1. If the unit plugs into a socket, check to see if it is plugged in all the way. Sometimes someone may accidentally brush a plug or trip over a cord and dislodge the plug turning off the unit.
  2. Check the breaker box to see if the breaker that the piece of equipment is on has tripped. This happens when the load on the circuit increases due to a power surge or from the equipment pulling in more power than normal. If the breaker continually trips, you will want to call someone to look at the equipment as there may be something wrong with the unit.
  3. Check the thermostat settings. It is possible that the settings were accidentally altered. If the settings are wrong and you don’t know how to change them, most manufacturers have online manuals and some offer free support for changing the settings.
  4. Check to see if any of the fans are obstructed at all. If the fans are even partially blocked, this can interfere with the unit’s ability to remove the unwanted heat.
  5. Check to see if the fans are currently running. If the fans are not running, it is possible your unit is going through a defrost cycle. The defrost cycle is designed to clear frost from the cooling coils as frost reduces the efficiency of the coils to remove heat. Typically, a defrost cycle doesn’t last more than 10 minutes, though the fans can be off for up to 15 minutes as there is a delay from when the defrost cycle ends and the fans start again. It is also important to note that some systems are designed so that the fans won’t run while the door is open, so it is important to check the fans with the door closed.

What to do when there is a problem

If none of the above suggestions fix the problem, here’s what to do:

1) Gather up the information below based on the problem. This will give the technician an idea of what the problem could be and they will be able to bring the proper parts and equipment to resolve the situation.

2) Give Aerco a call at 1-800-663-0401.

My Cooler is Too Hot

  • Is this your walk-in cooler or reach-in cooler?
  • What temperature is it currently reading?
  • When did the temperature start to rise?
  • Have you had a power outage?
  • Have you just recently received/stored new product?

My Cooler is Too Cold

  • Is this your walk-in cooler or reach-in cooler?
  • What temperature is it currently reading?
  • When did you notice the temperature drop in the cooler?
  •  Can you see any ice build-up? If so, where?
  • Have you changed the type of stock you keep in this cooler?
  • Have you just recently received/stored new product?

My Cooler is Making Noise

  • Is this your walk-in freezer or reach-in freezer?
  • Do you know if it is coming from the fan?
  • Does it sound as though it is banging against something?
  • Can you identify roughly where the noise is coming from?

My Freezer is too Hot

  • Is this your walk-in freezer or reach-in freezer?
  • What is the current temperature in the freezer?
  • Is the freezer not on at all?
  • When did you notice a rise in temperature?
  • Is your product shipment due or have you just received it?
  • Have you had a power outage?
  • Has the water been turned off?
  • Are the fans running?

My Freezer is too Cold

  • Is this your walk-in freezer or reach-in freezer?
  • What is the current temperature in the freezer?
  • Do you see ice build-up?
  • Are you scheduled for a product delivery today?

Can you avoid overtime charges?

In some cases, no, the problem you discover at 3 pm must be dealt with immediately. But if you believe that the issue can wait until morning – for example the product can be moved to another refrigerator or cooler – you can avoid overtime charges by calling immediately to schedule a service call for first thing in the morning.

Troubleshooting

PROBLEM

POSSIBLE REASON

POSSIBLE SOLUTION

Temperature is too warm in your walk-in cooler or freezer Are the breakers turned on?
Recent delivery or improperly stored product causing the temperature to rise
If your unit is water cooled, has the water been turned off recently?
Unit is in defrost
Thermostat needs adjustment Verify the setting of your thermostat. If it is proper, call service agent. If not, adjust to required temperature.
Condenser may be dirty Call your service agent for maintenance.
Door closing improperly or gasketing is failed Call service agent to make adjustments or order new gaskets.
Temperature is too cold in your walk-in cooler or freezer Thermostat needs adjustment Verify the setting of your thermostat. If it is set properly, call service agent. If not, adjust to required temperature.

Why do my freezers keep icing up?

The most common cause for freezers icing up is warm moist air getting into the freezer from the outside. This warm air is chilled by the cooling coil in the freezer and then moisture condenses on the coil and freezes.

The most likely source of this warm air is either leaks around the door through a worn out gasket or staff leaving the door open while they shift product in or out. If the door must remain open make sure they are using a plastic hanging curtain to keep the exchange of air to a minimum.