If your display refrigerator doesn’t cool properly, it can spoil the food inside it. If there are simply drinks stored in there, then they won’t be chilled. Therefore, you should inspect the unit for fixing simpler problems and if they don’t work, call in a commercial refrigerator repair technician. Here are some reasons why your display refrigerator is not cooling.

Causes Of A Display Refrigerator Not Cooling

Wrong Temperature Settings

The cooling problem could be due to incorrect settings. So, before anything check the temperature settings of your display refrigerator. You must set the temperature for the products stored in it. Here are ideal temperatures for some common products:

Soft drinks and beverages: 36-41°F (2-5°C)
Dairy products: 34-39°F (1-4°C)
Fresh meat: 32-36°F (0-2°C)
Fruits and vegetables: 39-46°F (4-8°C)
General temperature good for most display units: 36-39°F (2-4°C)

Opening Closing The Refrigerator Frequently

Another common practice that can lead to cooling problem but mistaken as an issue with the unit is frequent opening and closing of the door. If you have a busy store or café, the refrigerator may be opened and closed a lot of times. This can make it harder for the refrigerator keep the temperatures cool consistently. So, the unit pushes its components to work for longer. This puts stress on the components, which can further affect the performance of the refrigerator.

This is a simple problem, but you have to implement multiple strategies to reduce its impact. You can try better labeling and placing popular items in the front, so customers or staff members find it easily. Consider self-closing doors and use PVC strip curtains. Plus, make sure to pick the correct size of the refrigerator so you don’t have to overstuff it because this can restrict airflow. Poor airflow coupled with frequent opening and closing will create cooling problems.

Moreover, keep another refrigerator only for stocking food items so you don’t have to put all the inventory in the display refrigerator.

Not Cleaning The Door Gasket Regularly

Another simple thing that can lead to air leakage is dirt and debris on the gasket. A gasket is a rubber or plastic that’s around the edges of the door. It keeps the door sealed and avoid any air leakage. If dirt and debris on the door is not cleaned regularly, it will make the surface uneven. It will be unnoticeable for the naked eye, but cool air will keep leaking and humid air will keep entering the unit. This is will lead to inconsistent temperatures, the refrigerator running for longer periods, and stress on major components, like the compressor.

Something as simple as not cleaning the gasket can create these problems. So, ensure to clean the door and the gasket regularly.

Worn Door Gasket

A worn gasket can be due to age or any exterior factor. In any way, it will also lead to air leakage because the door will close, but it won’t seal perfectly. This will cause identical problems as with a dirty gasket. Usually, the signs can be more severe.

If you notice that the door gasket is too hard, has irregular surface, or there are visible cuts or damage, hire commercial refrigerator services Chantilly who can replace it. It’s cheap.

Dirty Condenser Coils

Condenser coils are located outside the display refrigerator. The purpose is to aid in releasing heat from the refrigeration process to the outside. But if the condenser coils are not cleaned regularly, dust and debris settle on the coils and create a layer that acts as insulation. Due to this, the coils can’t dissipate heat properly.

This is a huge problem for the refrigerator because heat dissipation is required for keeping the internal of the unit cool. As a reaction to this, the refrigerator stays on for longer periods. It consumes more power and puts strain on the components, which can lead to their failure. It can also cause the refrigerator tripping the breaker.

Therefore, cleaning condenser coils is usually a part of refrigerator maintenance, not matter the type. It’s usually an easy task so you don’t always have to call in an expert. You can do it yourself or train your staff to clean the condenser coils once every two weeks or once a month.

Condenser Fan Failure

A condenser fan is usually near the condenser coil and the compressor. It helps in dissipating heat from the condenser coils and the compressor. So, if it goes bad, the effect would be similar to a dirty condenser coil. There will be issues in heat removal so the performance of the refrigerator will be affected. You will need to hire an expert who can detect a failing condenser fan motor and fix or replace it.

Faulty Evaporator Fan

There is another fan near the evaporator coils. These are present inside the cooling compartment, though not usually visible in display refrigerators. An evaporator fan ensures proper airflow inside the cooling compartment so that all the items receive cool air and the cool temperature is consistent throughout the interior.

When this fan doesn’t work, the refrigerator won’t be cool, you may detect uneven temperatures, ice buildup on the evaporator coils or the fan, there may be noises, and higher power consumption. Hire a technician who can inspect and replace the evaporator fan if it can’t be repaired.

Another Appliance Or Any Obstruction Is Blocking The Airflow

Display refrigerators or any refrigeration unit require a clearance of a few inches from all ends for optimum heat dissipation. If the refrigerator is placed too close a wall, there are other inventory items or something else is stacked by the refrigerator, there is a heat-producing appliance near the refrigerator, or the refrigerator is exposed to direct sunlight, then it won’t be able to keep the interior cool as required and you will notice fluctuations in the temperatures.

So, choose the location of your display refrigerator carefully so that it works smoothly.

Overstuffing The Refrigerator

A common mistake made by many people is putting in more items in the display refrigerator than it can safely handle. When every inch of the refrigerator is stacked with inventory, there will be less room for airflow. Airflow is critical for refrigerator to keep the cool air moving in the interior and keep all the items cool.

Due to overstuffing, the airflow will be affected. Some parts of refrigerator won’t receive enough cool air so there will be inconsistent temperature within the refrigerator. This can spoil the food items that are not at the desired temperature.

Bad Start Relay

A start relay is a small component that helps the compressor turn on. Even when the compressor is fine, it won’t work, and the refrigerator won’t cool. There may be a clicking noise every few minutes without the compressor starting.

An expert can inspect and detect problems, and can replace the start relay easily if that’s the cause of your refrigerator not cooling.

Conclusion

A display refrigerator works smoothly if you take care of it and clean and maintain it. If the unit is not cooling, look for the above-mentioned problems and hire a commercial freezer repair Fairfax Station expert if needed.