There are many situations that call for Minnesota refrigeration, and a company like Altemp Mechanical, Inc. is able to handle the unique demands of each one. Here are some of the major system types and where they are often used:
The Home Refrigerator
As its name implies, this type of unit is usually found in homes. They can be large enough to hold food for 10 people or so small that they can only contain a 12-pack of soda, but most fall into a size range that’s good for a family of approximately four members. The compressor and coils are attached directly to this type of unit, so there isn’t much piping to worry about, but they also include features like automatic defrost or integrated ice makers. In most cases, it’s these extra features that cause problems. Therefore, a home refrigeration repair company has to know how to handle them as well as the refrigerator’s major systems.
Restaurant Refrigeration
Though restaurants may keep juice and soda in commercial versions of what are essentially home-type refrigerators, the main stock will typically be kept in a walk-in refrigeration unit. These units are big enough for employees to walk into, so they have plenty of space to arrange everything on shelves in an organized way. From a mechanical standpoint, these systems may work like giant home refrigerators. The motor and cooling system is usually attached to the back of the unit, but it can also be placed on top. Access to the mechanical parts is usually outside of the unit so the repair people don’t have to wear coats as they work.
Retail and Industrial Refrigeration Systems
A system that’s powerful enough to keep its temperature even when customers are opening and closing the doors all day is on an whole different level than a home refrigerator or even most walk-in versions. Instead of having a small, integrated motor, these systems will often have big cooling engines that are on the roof of the establishment or outside in the back. Large canisters of coolant are also used. The cold fluid is piped under the floor or behind walls to the holding cases, which are inside the store.
Regardless of system type, the basic principles behind it will be the same. Therefore, the maintenance and repair of the units is surprisingly similar, though the size of the job understandably varies widely.
