Five signs your commercial fridge needs an upgrade

As a successful business owner, you’ll know that everything has a shelf life, even your refrigerator. Knowing when to upgrade or replace items is key to running a financially viable business. It’s just as important as planning the perfect menu, or assembling a reliable kitchen team.

If you upgrade too soon, or too frequently, then you risk wasting money on needless replacements. However, if you leave it too long, you risk your commercial fridge failing, which could be detrimental to your business. This blog explores the key signs to look out for that your commercial fridge is ready for an upgrade.

How old is your current commercial fridge?

In 2021 the energy rating system changed, and the highest rating became an A, compared to the previous highest rating of A+++, an old A+++ is equivalent to a modern B or C. So, when you’re checking on the energy rating of your current commercial fridge, be sure that you know the age, so you can identify how energy efficient your fridge is. An old B or C will be very uneconomical to run, and with rising energy prices, investing in a more energy-efficient fridge, will save you money in the long run.

How noisy is your commercial fridge?

The noise that your commercial fridge makes is a good indicator of its general health. We aren’t talking about the everyday steady hum, but heavier, or more unusual noises. Noise can be an excellent indicator of problems within a fridge, and should never be ignored. Listen for changes to noises, rattling, banging or anything that sounds out of the ordinary.

Is it keeping a steady temperature?

Obviously, a fridge’s job is to keep items cold. If your fridge isn’t managing to do this or is struggling to do so, then it will need to be upgraded. You should check the temperature of your commercial fridge on a regular basis so that you can see that it is maintaining a steady temperature. If the temperature in your commercial fridge is fluctuating then this is a sign that something is not right.

How regularly is it serviced?

Regular servicing and maintenance will help to extend the life of your commercial fridge. This will also give you the opportunity to have a professional evaluate the health of your fridge and help advise on the best time to upgrade it. Regular servicing will pick up issues before they turn into problems, which will help to keep your fridge in good working order.

Are you ready to upgrade?

It’s important to weigh up the financial considerations around upgrading. While upgrading your fridge is a capital investment, it will also have an impact on the running costs of your business. By upgrading to a more energy-efficient model, you’ll be able to save money on your energy bills, which is crucial, especially in the current energy climate. This saving can be weighed against the outlay of your new unit. The other important financial aspect is the cost of not upgrading. If you choose not to upgrade and your fridge fails, then what impact will this have?

It’s not only the loss of the food within the fridge to consider, but the impact on your business if you can’t deliver due to lack of ingredients. While this can be hard to calculate, you must factor this into your forecasting. If you’re looking at the best ways to finance your new commercial fridge, then consider different options, and look for the best deals across the financial marketplace.

Come to Fridgesmart

When you’re ready to upgrade, the team at Fridgesmart is here to help. We appreciate that choosing the best time to upgrade, to ensure the least disruption to your business, can be tricky. We’ll work with you to discuss the options for upgrade, and advise on the best fit for your business. We can also plan delivery and installation to coincide with your quieter times, so that you remain operational, or plan within a specific time, to minimise shutdown periods.

We have an extensive range of different types of commercial fridges, from display fridges for public-facing areas, to cold rooms, for maximum storage space. Our range is suitable for different types of businesses and different budgets. Whatever fridge you choose, you can be confident that the team at Fridgesmart are here to help. For advice on choosing the best commercial refrigerator for your business, call us on 0115 941 3640.