How are you maximising your industrial refrigeration maintenance?
Your plant’s maintenance doesn’t have to be a set and forget item – talking with your industrial refrigeration technician can help you continually get the most out of each maintenance service.
Here are 5 questions to ask your refrigeration technician next maintenance to maximise your service:
1. What are the key things I should be looking out for in between visits?
Ask your service technician to highlight any critical aspects about your major equipment such as compressors, condensers and evaporators. A few things to keep an eye on are:
- Any kind of leak
- Your refrigerant levels
- Fluctuation in temperature
- Ice build-up
- Changes in noises coming from major components
- How clean / dirty your coils are
- Air flow rate
Keeping tabs on these items can give you and your staff a really clear indication of where your maintenance schedule sits.
2. Can you explain any common issues with this type of system?
Understanding what are the common drawbacks of your system can play a key role in early detection – whether its problems like leaks or control system malfunctions, knowing what to look for can help you spot early warning signs and potentially avoid costly downtime.
3. What specific signs should I look for that indicate a need for service?
Asking your refrigeration tech this can help you and your staff catch issues early and lets the professionals fix them before they become too costly. If you spot some of the following, then it’s probably a good idea to have a tech take a look:
- Unusual noises
- Fluctuating temperatures
- Increased energy consumption
- Signs of ice build-up / excessive condensation
- Oil leaks
4. How can I improve the energy efficiency of my refrigeration system?
Refrigeration is often one of (if not) the biggest consumers of electricity in any industrial plant – so, asking your technician how to boost your energy efficiency is important.
The strategies suggested should be tailored to your unique system and setup, but some common solutions can be:
- Checking to see if all doors are closed / shut and sealed properly
- Operating at different temperatures (if relevant)
- Adding controls like Variable Speed Drives (VSDs)
- Conduct regular audits and monitor improvements.
- Optimising compressor loading / unloading
- Setpoint reviews for more accurate control
- Site operations movement procedures
5. What is the recommended maintenance schedule for this system?
What kind of maintenance best suits your system? Is it monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, annually? Talking with your technician can highlight what will serve your system and what will be excessive – it’s also important that these services touch on:
- Seasonal adjustments
- Catering to fluctuating demands
- Aligning maintenance with your usage patterns.
Want to learn more about maximising your return? Get in touch with the Oomiak team or give us a call on 1300 731 699 to find out more!
