A cold room is a vital investment for many companies, whether it’s to keep food at the correct temperature or medical products. The wrong temperature for storing goods can lead to disastrous results, so it is important that you make the most of your cold storage.
We all remember the story about a restaurant who had to throw out several hundred kilograms worth of lobster because their freezer failed. We all probably want to avoid this.
How can you get the best out of your cold room doors then? Let’s get started!
Check your cold room door strips
The refrigeration system is a main reason for high energy bills. These costs can be reduced by saving energy. The strips are worn out by frequent opening and closing the doors in a cold storage. To avoid energy waste, it is important to seal the doors properly. Checking the strips periodically is recommended.
Find out who controls the cold storage
The more people who are allowed to open the doors, the more energy they waste throughout the day. Open doors will allow cold air to escape, so it is best to avoid them as much as you can. It is inevitable that doors will be needed, but you should make it a habit to close them behind you.
It is best to limit the number of people present in cold storage, as the average body temperature for humans is 37 degrees. It is also not a good thing to let people outside of your company access the cold store. You should not allow suppliers to place items in storage because you don’t know where they were previously. Avoid allowing bacteria or other undesirable organisms to enter the cold room. Limit access by as few people as you can.
Remotely monitor your cold room
You should be informed as soon as something goes wrong. It is important to notice a power outage, or the shutdown of the cooling system as soon as possible.
Austcold Industries Pty Ltd builds the Reporter, which is a wireless sensor that records temperature in multiple rooms and has an alarm built-in. You can monitor your cold rooms with ease from afar. When the temperature falls below the required level, an alert is sent (via email, voice call or sms) to allow for quick action. Remote monitoring that is reliable can help to avoid catastrophic situations.
Check out our monitoring solution for cold rooms and contact us if you have any questions.
Reporter is a temperature logging device, or an online data logger. It has many advantages over a simple SMS alarm tool. Both alert you when temperatures rise, but the data allows you to analyze the alarm and determine the severity of the situation. You can also detect any technical problems or inefficient operation by adding sensors to measure humidity, CO2, and energy consumption (kWh).
Consider the layout of your cold storage.
When you are pressed for time, a good layout will help you to be more efficient. The most commonly used products should be at the front so as to save energy when opening the room. Stock rotation plans can save you time and money. Every time a product has to be removed, the stock should be checked. It is also recommended to use the FIFO (first in, first out) principle, mainly for the food industry. This means that the product placed first in the cold store is used first.
Cold rooms require regular maintenance
A room that is not maintained properly will consume more energy than a room that has been well maintained. It is recommended that the cooling system be maintained regularly. A certified HVAC-technician should do this.
It is recommended to clean the technical parts frequently. The evaporator, which is located on the inside of the unit, can be a contamination source as it becomes contaminated with dust and mold over time. Microorganisms can then be blown through the cooling system, reducing its efficiency. The quality of products can be affected. The condenser on the outside must also be kept free of dust to avoid malfunctioning or overheating.
Hygiene plays an important role
The final tip we have is simple: A thorough cleaning is required at least once per month to minimize the possibility of contamination. A periodic cleaning plan will also help prevent the formation of ice. It is also important to clean the cold room periodically. You will save time by keeping your cold room clean. Cold storage shelves should be made from plastic or metal to be easily cleaned. Keep the floor free of clutter so it can be cleaned easily.
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