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Preventative Maintenance Tip #1

November 27th, 2012

Although we just missed the fall time change we figure that anytime is a good time for a reminder of PM (Preventative Maintenance). You already or you should remember to do other Maintenance items at this time of year such as check and or replace your smoke alarm batteries so let’s add this to the list. Although the fall time change is not quite as important as the spring time change  due to the coming heat of the summer season it’s still a reminder or perhaps an indicator to review your PM checklist.

The most important thing to remember to do at the spring time change is the cleaning of the air cooled condenser that is inside most pieces of refrigeration equipment. Whether it’s a milk cooler, ice maker, retherm unit or ice cream merchandiser these units all have the condenser that takes away the heat much like the radiator on your car. The condensers on these units have dusty room air that passes through them all year and they become clogged and therefore require this PM check.

This task is best handled by a qualified maintenance person or a refrigeration contractor and it’s not all that expensive when you look at a repair cost if the unit fails due to a dirty condenser. A qualified person once set up with compressed air and or a wet/shop vacuum can do 2-3 pieces in about an hour. Most refrigeration contractors may even give a special or reduced labor rate for these services as they normally fall at the slower times of year for refrigeration service companies.

The cleaning of the condenser is the most important point on the PM check list but while the unit is somewhat apart or the cover panels is off it’s a good time for the Technician/Maintenance person to look at the electric connections and check for loose or rattling parts and pipes to head off a future service call which can cause downtime.

 Joe Oliva – North American Director of Technical Services

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