A maintenance plan should include the following tasks in order to make sure your refrigeration unit is operating efficiently and keeping your energy costs as low as possible:
Schedule – Make sure equipment is checked regularly and that you have the correct type of maintenance contract for your equipment.
De-ice evaporators – Ice build-up makes a unit use more energy than it needs to. They can be caused by blockages or a unit being located too close to the thermostat.
Compressors – All compressors should be inspected annually and any worn bearings and valves should be replaced. If compressors become noisy, the bearings probably need replacing.
The oil level (shown in the compressor’s sight glass) should not be too high or low. Check the oil level regularly and if you see a change contact a qualified service technician.
Condensers – Make sure the condensers are clean and free from blockages. It’s also a good idea to check the ventilation of the room containing the refrigeration unit, as a poorly ventilated room will make the condensers run hotter than necessary.
Pipework – Pipes should be properly secured and not vibrate. The pipework’s insulation should also be checked (it prevents unnecessary heat gains).
Note: the above maintenance tasks should be carried out by a suitably qualified refrigeration maintenance contractor.
It’s very important to regularly check for leaks of refrigerant from your refrigeration unit. There are 3 good reasons for this:
Money – A 15% loss in refrigerant gas could increase energy costs by 100%.
Environment – Many common refrigerants are powerful greenhouse gases. For example – 1kg of the refrigerant R134a has a global warming potential about 1,300 times greater than that of 1kg of CO2.
Legal – It’s illegal to knowingly vent refrigerants – so as soon as you know of a leak, take immediate action to find and fix it.
Note: As soon as you are aware of leak, you must take immediate action to find and repair it.
Refrigerant leaks are serious – here’s our advice on how to locate them:
Inspections – You should regularly inspect each refrigeration unit for leaks. The most common areas for leaks are:
- Joints
- Seals
- Mechanical valves and glands
Check for bubbles – Most large refrigeration systems have a sight glass where the coolant liquid can be seen. If you can see bubbles, then it’s a sign that the system has a leak.
Fixing and recharge – You should repair any leaks as soon as possible and recharge the system with fresh coolant. A refrigeration maintenance contractor will be able to do this.
Source: Carbon Trust