Preventative Maintenance Information

HVAC Equipment Spring/Summer Maintenance Checklist

Clean or replace filters

Clean condenser and evaporator coils

Clean drain lines for proper flow and clear clogs

Clear drain pans of any standing water to avoid overflows

Replace worn pulleys and belts

Inspect ducts for mold, dust, and debris

Observe humidity levels

Check refrigerant charge and for leaks

Test thermostats and controls to make sure temperatures and timer functions are correctly set

Change batteries

Check electrical system and connections

Check fan motor

Check blowers and blades for proper airflow

Lubricate motors bearings and moving parts

Inspect cabinet for leaks and check cabinet door for secure closure

Check for debris around outside unit

 

HVAC Equipment Fall/Winter Maintenance Checklist

Replace filters on heating equipment

Inspect ignition burner assembly

Examine heat exchanger or heating elements

Study flue system and ensure secure attachment to the furnace

Inspect for gas leaks with gas furnaces

Assess gas pressure

Check pulleys and belts

Clear drain lines and pans

Check electrical connections

Lubricate motors, bearings and other moving parts

Check thermostats and controls

Check fan and blower operation and adjust as needed

Inspect heat pump

Examine ductwork and vents

 

Basic Refrigeration Maintenance Checklist
pressure clean / degrease condenser coils
clear condensate drain lines
check condition of door gaskets
monitor thermostat operation and adjust as needed
monitor temperature and cycling
check compressor operation and control wiring
check refrigerant level
oil motors if oil ports exist
check unit thermometer
check suction line insulation
inspect door hinges & door closers
check and adjust defrost timers

 

Ice Machine Maintenance Checklist

all removable parts should be taken out and cleaned

bin drain should be pressure cleaned

an acid wash should be done on evaporator

bin should be scrubbed and sanitized

after cleaning ice level sense probe will need to be adjusted

 

IMPORTANT ICE MACHINE MAINTENANCE TIPS

Clean Ice Cooler: Do this every other week and you’ll have ice cubes that are uniform in shape and don’t harbor an unpleasant odor. You risk your machine shutting down if you don’t clean regularly.

Check for Brown Slime: Ice machines can develop a brown slime.  This brown slime develops from specific types of yeast such as: airborne yeast, beer, brewing yeast, and baking yeast. We recommend that you consult your ice machine manufacturer’s manual.

Check Ice Machine Temperature: It’s important to keep your ice machine in a cool location. It will expend less energy and make better cubes.

Replace Ice Machine’s Water Filters Regularly: Every six (6) months. Ice quality will increase, and the speed in which ice is produced also increases.

Clean Your Condenser Coils: Condenser coils are often ignored by restaurants. Dirty condenser coils have an adverse effect on your ice cooler’s temperature, resulting in slow ice production.

Maintain a Regular Professional Cleaning Schedule: Ice machine cleaning should be on your list of highly important kitchen jobs.  We recommend cleaning your ice maker every 6 months.

 

BENEFITS OF REGULAR PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE

Reduce power consumption. It’s easy to be GREEN with a little preventative care.

Extend life of equipment, especially critical components like the compressor, capillary tube, and condenser fan motor.

Avoid costly EMERGENCY service caused by lack of maintenance.

Avoid mold growth and contaminated “spotted” ice. (To combat this, have ice machines taken apart and cleaned at least twice per year.)

Properly maintained line coolers won’t cause system oil and capillary tube breakdown and/or compressor failure.

Proper door seal reduces power consumption and extends life of equipment.

 

Your daily/weekly to-do list

Check temperature and defrost frequency settings. If the temperatures are set too high you could have product spoilage and you could have a public health risk on your hands. If the temperature is set lower than necessary, the unit needs to work too hard and can shorten the life of your system. The same goes for defrosting more often than needed.

Clear space around the equipment. Air flow blocked by debris or stacks of stuff can put a strain on the unit, causing it to run inefficiently and even overheat. Reduced air flow can also increase power consumption.

Be vigilant about turning out the lights inside walk in coolers and freezers. Not only do the lights drive up your electric bill, but they actually generate heat that forces your equipment to work harder to keep it cool. A best practice: use fluorescent lights that generate less heat inside coolers and freezers.

Clean the inside of all units.  Remember not to use steel wool, bleach or caustic chemicals which can damage the finish. Be sure to consult the owner’s manual and follow manufacturer’s instructions.

Check for cold air leaks. When hinges, latches, strikes, gaskets or seals are in poor condition, the door of your units may not be airtight. Test the door gasket by closing a dollar bill in the door. You should feel some resistance when you pull on it; if it slides out easily the door is not sealing properly. Call in a professional refrigeration company for advice and repair.

 

Monthly to quarterly maintenance and inspection tasks

Schedule a refrigeration service company to do a detailed inspection, cleaning, and tune-up of all your refrigeration equipment. These tasks require the expertise of professionals who know what problems to look for. Keep in mind that attempting to do repairs yourself could void your equipment warranty.

 

Inspect and clean each unit’s condensing and evaporator coils. A buildup of dirt and grime impedes the flow of through heat through the coils which causes your unit to lose efficiency. This should be done with a commercial condenser coil cleaner and the right tools. We recommend having this done by a professional to avoid damage to the sensitive coil fins.

Disassemble and thoroughly clean ice makers. Did you know that dirty ice is one of the most common health inspection violations? Even if your ice looks fine, you could be making people sick if the inside of your ice maker is covered with mold.

Check compressor and fan motor operation. If the compressor goes, you probably need a new unit. If it’s working too hard, your technician can find the cause and fix it before the unit fails.

Inspect all parts for wear. A qualified technician can spot degrading parts and replace them before that cause the entire unit to fail.

Clean fan blades. Dirt and grease on the fan blades can cause drag that slows down the motor.

Clean gaskets, lubricate hinges, and repair any air leaks. Gaskets need to be clean to form a tight seal, and hinges should be regularly lubricated to keep doors closing properly. Cracks or holes in the exterior walls will also cause the unit to lose cool air and have to work harder. If parts need to be replaced, your refrigeration professional can install more efficient versions such as automatic spring hinges.

Check refrigerant levels. If your equipment is leaking refrigerant, it’s an EPA violation as well as a repair issue. Your technician will determine where the leak is coming from and repair it before recharging the refrigerant.

Check electrical connections.  Loose electrical connections can often cause those unexpected equipment failures.

Calibrate thermometers. You can’t be sure your equipment complies with health regulations if the thermometers are not regularly tested and calibrated.

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