The average lifespan of a commercial refrigeration unit is 10-15 years, although there can be variation depending on the quality of the equipment, how it is used and maintenance habits.
In this guide, we’ll cover the factors that affect the lifespan of your commercial refrigerator, tips to prolong its life, how often to service it and which parts of maintenance can be done yourself.
What Affects the Lifespan of Your Commercial Refrigerator
Maintenance Habits: Commercial refrigeration equipment is designed to withstand demanding environments, but that doesn’t mean it can be neglected. Even the smallest issues with your unit can develop into more serious faults if left unattended. This is where doing regular maintenance checks and visual inspections of your unit can help you identify problems early, while professional assistance should be sought when an issue requires specialist attention. To find out more, read our guide about the top 5 tips for commercial refrigerator maintenance.
Build Quality: Budget can understandably be an important consideration when investing in commercial equipment. However, the quality of the material, components and construction can have an impact on the reliability and longevity of your refrigerator. Choosing equipment that is appropriate for its intended use and built to withstand its expected workload can help ensure it continues to perform effectively over the long term.
Usage and Workload: How frequently a unit is used and the workload it handles can also affect its overall lifespan. Commercial refrigerators may have their doors opened and closed hundreds of times daily, particularly in a busy restaurant or commercial kitchen. Repeated use places ongoing demands on the refrigeration system, while consistently overloading the unit can restrict airflow and make it work harder to maintain the required temperature.
Operating Environment: Where a unit is installed and operates can also influence the long-term performance and lifespan of your unit. Hot ambient temperatures and high humidity can place additional strain on the system as it attempts to maintain its internal temperature. Similarly, installing it in a tight and cramped space can prevent proper ventilation and dissipation of heat from the condenser, making the system work harder than necessary.
Tips to Improve the Lifespan of Your Commercial Refrigerator
There are several straightforward steps businesses can take to help keep their commercial refrigeration equipment operating effectively for longer. While professional maintenance and servicing are important, regular day-to-day care can also make a significant difference. The following tips can help reduce unnecessary strain on your refrigeration system, maintain its performance and potentially extend its working lifespan.
Regularly Clean Condenser & Evaporator Coils: Condenser and evaporator coils play an important role in the refrigeration process, so keeping them clean can help your unit operate efficiently. Dust, dirt and grease can accumulate on the coils over time, particularly in busy commercial kitchens, restricting airflow and making the system work harder to maintain the required temperature. Include coil cleaning as part of your regular maintenance routine, following the manufacturer’s guidance and taking appropriate precautions when accessing the equipment.
Maintain Door Seals: A damaged or worn door seal can allow cold air to escape from your refrigerator, forcing the system to work harder to maintain its internal temperature. Regularly inspect the seals for cracks, splits or other signs of deterioration; make sure they are making a complete seal when the door is closed. Replacing a damaged seal promptly can help prevent unnecessary energy use and reduce the strain placed on the system.
Maintain Consistent Internal Temperature: Keeping your refrigerator at a consistent temperature is important for equipment performance and the safe storage of products. Avoid repeatedly adjusting the thermostat unless necessary and monitor the internal temperature regularly to ensure the unit is operating as expected. If you notice persistent temperature fluctuations or the refrigerator is struggling to reach its set temperature, this could indicate an underlying issue that requires specialist attention.
Avoid Overfilling: While it can be tempting to maximise the available storage space, overfilling a commercial refrigerator can restrict the circulation of cold air. This can create uneven temperatures within the unit and force the refrigeration system to work harder to keep products sufficiently cold. You should ensure you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for loading the equipment and avoid blocking vents or placing products where they could interfere with airflow.
Inspect Door Hinges: Door hinges are subject to regular wear and tear, particularly in environments where the door of the refrigerator will be opened and closed frequently throughout the day. Loose, damaged or misaligned hinges can prevent the door from closing properly, potentially affecting the seal and allowing cold air to escape. Include the hinges in routine visual checks and address any signs of damage or misalignment before they develop into a more significant problem.
Position Away from Heat: Where your refrigerator equipment is positioned can have a direct impact on how hard it needs to work to maintain its internal temperature. Placing a refrigerator next to products that produce heat, such as ovens or fryers, can increase the surrounding temperature and put additional strain on the system. Wherever possible, position your equipment away from heat-producing appliances and ensure there is sufficient space around it for adequate ventilation and heat dissipation.
Watch for Excessive Frost Build-up: A small amount of frost can be normal in most refrigeration equipment, but excessive build-up can restrict the available storage space and the efficiency of the unit. Regularly check for unusual or increasing levels of frost, particularly around the doors, seal and vents. If frost continues to accumulate despite following the manufacturer’s defrosting guidance, it could indicate an underlying issue that needs to be assessed by a professional.
Schedule Professional Servicing: While regular cleaning and inspections can help maintain your equipment, they shouldn’t replace professional commercial refrigeration servicing. A qualified engineer can inspect the refrigeration system, identify developing faults and assess components that aren’t accessible through regular maintenance. Scheduling servicing at appropriate intervals, every six months for moderate usage conditions and quarterly for heavy use, can help address potential problems before they result in costly breakdowns and keep your equipment operating for longer.
How Often Should Commercial Refrigerators Be Serviced
How often you get your commercial refrigerator serviced will differ depending on several factors such as its age, type, workload and operating environment. For example, a unit in a busy commercial kitchen that’s constantly being opened will require more attention than equipment that is used less intensively.
As a starting point, businesses should aim to follow the servicing schedule that is recommended by the manufacturer and incorporate professional inspections into their wider refrigeration maintenance routine. It’s also important not to wait until a scheduled service if you notice something unusual with your unit. Changes in temperature, unusual noises, excessive frost and condensation or taking longer than usual to reach its set temperature can all indicate underlying problems that need addressing sooner rather than later.
Rather than relying solely on reactive repairs when equipment breaks down, preventative servicing can help businesses maintain reliable refrigeration performance and even extend the lifespan of their equipment. See our work to explore how we can support your maintenance and servicing needs.
Commercial Refrigeration Maintenance: What Can You Do Yourself?
Not every aspect of commercial refrigeration maintenance requires a qualified engineer. There are several straightforward checks and cleaning tasks that businesses can incorporate into their regular routines to help keep equipment in good condition.
Routine maintenance can include keeping the interior and exterior of the unit clean, checking door seals and hinges, keeping vents clear and looking out for unusual frost build-up; these are all tasks that can be done yourself. Condenser coils can also be cleaned as part of a regular maintenance schedule, provided this can be done safely and in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.
However, businesses should avoid attempting specialist repairs themselves. Issues involving electrical components, refrigerant systems, compressors or other internal components should all be assessed by a qualified professional. Attempting to repair these systems without the appropriate knowledge and equipment could damage the unit further, void any warranties or create unnecessary safety risks.
The most effective approach is therefore a combination of regular in-house checks that can be done by almost anyone and professional commercial refrigeration servicing. This allows businesses to stay on top of everyday maintenance while ensuring more complex issues are identified and dealt with by an experienced engineer.
How Can Regular Maintenance and Servicing Reduce Commercial Refrigeration Costs?
Regular maintenance isn’t just about keeping your commercial refrigeration running for longer. It can also help businesses manage their ongoing operating costs and avoid some of the expenses associated with unexpected equipment failures.
A well-maintained refrigerator can operate more efficiently, helping to prevent the system from working harder than necessary to maintain its required temperature. Keeping components such as condenser coils clean and ensuring door seals remain effective, as well as addressing faults promptly, can all help minimise unnecessary energy consumption, lowering bills at least a little.
Preventative maintenance can also help businesses identify problems early before they become much more serious. A relatively minor fault may be easier and less expensive to resolve than a major breakdown that leaves your refrigerator out of order. For businesses that rely on refrigerators for storing food, ingredients or other temperature-sensitive products, unexpected downtime can result in disruption and potential product loss.
Professional servicing provides businesses with an extra layer of protection by allowing qualified engineers to assess the condition and performance of their equipment. Combined with regular in-house checks, this proactive approach can help businesses get more reliable service from their equipment and make better use of their investment over its working life.
Final Thoughts
Commercial refrigeration equipment represents a significant investment for many businesses, so taking steps to extend its working lifespan makes perfect financial sense. While the average unit may last 10-15 years, the factors we’ve discussed can all influence how closely your unit fits in that range or potentially exceed it.
Regular checks and maintenance all help reduce unnecessary strain on your equipment. However, these routine checks should be complemented by professional commercial refrigeration servicing to identify and address issues that aren’t immediately visible.
Regardless of where you purchased your equipment originally, we offer comprehensive servicing and maintenance for commercial refrigerators and a planned service for your maintenance and service needs. Feel free to request a quote to see how we can help your business.
