Summer is a time of opportunity for many sectors. As temperatures rise, consumption of chilled and frozen products increases. But for professionals in the food retail and distribution sector, this is a critical time for refrigeration equipment, which is pushed to the limit. A fault can jeopardise the preservation of products, increase waste, jeopardise food safety and even reduce sales.
That’s why it’s good practice to prepare your refrigeration equipment before the heat arrives. In this article, we’ve put together the best recommendations to ensure that everything is working with maximum efficiency and safety in the summer months.
1. Preventive maintenance
Before the heat peaks, schedule maintenance for your refrigeration equipment. This helps prevent technical failures that occur due to the increased strain on the compressors and the greater thermal load, guaranteeing greater energy efficiency and extending the useful life of the equipment.
What maintenance should be done:
- Cleaning condensers and evaporators
- Checking refrigerant gas levels (analysing pressure via manometer)
- Inspection of cables, sensors and thermostats
- Replacing worn seals
- General system performance tests
2. Cleaning the equipment
When equipment is clean, it cools better and therefore consumes less energy. During other seasons, it is common for dust and dirt to accumulate on components, affecting cooling efficiency. This helps prevent overheating and improves food preservation in the heat.
Priority areas for cleaning:
- Grilles and air intakes
- Condensadores e ventiladores
- Drainage systems
3. Good ventilation and layout of the surrounding space
Positioning equipment correctly (as mentioned in the equipment’s instruction manuals) and ensuring adequate ventilation are aspects that are often overlooked, but are crucial in summer, when ambient heat can affect performance.
Good practices:
- Avoid direct exposure to the sun
- Ensure free space around the equipment
- Ventilate storage and display areas
4. Checking rubbers and seals
Poorly sealed doors cause cold loss and force the compressor to work harder, increasing the risk of breakdowns, raising energy costs and the probability of ice forming inside.
Essential checks:
- Dry or damaged rubbers
- Pressure test (or ‘sheet of paper test’): place a sheet of paper between the door and the unit and close it. If the sheet comes out easily when pulled, the seal is compromised.
- Check that the door closes properly
5. Internal organisation
Avoid overloading the equipment. Too many products can prevent the correct circulation of cold air, jeopardising uniform cooling.
Suggestions for organisation:
- Do not exceed the load limits identified on the equipment
- Keep space between products and internal walls
- Do not block air vents
- Organise by type of product and expiry date/rotation to reduce door opening time
- Avoid introducing products while they are still hot
- Put the oldest products at the front (FIFO system – ‘First In, First Out’)
6. Monitoring energy consumption
In the warmer months, energy consumption tends to increase. Monitoring this consumption can help detect faults, thermal leaks or inefficient components.
Good Monitoring Practices:
- Register consumption regularly – Compare weekly or monthly data to identify deviations.
- Use equipment according to climate class
- Check equipment efficiency – Old or poorly dimensioned equipment can consume more than necessary.
With the arrival of summer, ensuring the proper functioning of refrigeration equipment is no longer just a question of efficiency – it has become a critical necessity for protecting products, reducing waste and ensuring food safety. Following these good practices is an essential step towards facing the challenges of the hottest season of the year with confidence.
At FRICON, we develop refrigeration equipment that is ready to respond to day-to-day demands, even in the most challenging environments. With efficient technology, high reliability and solutions adapted to each type of business, we help retail and distribution professionals keep their products in the best condition, without compromising on performance or energy costs.
