Remodeling FAQs: Buying Specific Components vs. the Entire Walk in Cooler Package

We have plenty of customers who only wish to buy a specific component for a walk in cooler—for instance, they may not need a new refrigeration system, but they do need to purchase new doors for their walk in cooler. In other cases, they only need new walk in cooler panels. Many others need just a refrigeration system. Some customers are unsure whether or not they can purchase only specific components instead of an entire package... the answer is yes, you definitely can! We will be more than happy to supply any individual component or an entire walk in cooler package. Some things to consider:

1) If the equipment is approaching ten years old, you may want to consider replacement anyway. You are reaching the downward curve of the expected service life of some of the components in your walk in cooler. Installation costs will be the same for older re-used equipment or brand new equipment.

2) If you increase the size of the new box, the existing walk in cooler refrigeration system may not have sufficient capacity to handle the additional heat load. If you can provide us with the model numbers and manufacturer’s name from the existing refrigeration system, we can usually do the research necessary to predetermine if there will be a problem. If necessary, we will then recommend additional equipment.

Refrigeration (picture 1) / Display Doors (picture 2)...

  

This discussion is not just limited to the refrigeration system. Perhaps your display doors are in excellent shape and you would like to reuse them in your new walk in cooler system. We can manufacture the walk in cooler display to accommodate the net opening required for your existing doors as well. Whatever the case may be, we are certainly willing to work with what your company already has, and what your company needs!

Popular Options for Display Coolers and Walk in Coolers

POPULAR OPTIONS FOR DISPLAY COOLERS:

Heated glass on display doors can virtually eliminate fogging in almost all conditions. Properly conditioned stores should not need them, but tropical locations or stores with marginal HVAC systems should consider this inexpensive option.

For high traffic locations, shelf dividers and gravity feed shelving can be extremely valuable.

Upgraded doors with full-length handles are becoming very popular.

To make cleaning up spills easier, rolling milk carts and drip trays are available.

POPULAR OPTIONS FOR STORAGE WALK IN COOLERS:

“Metro” storage shelving packages are available to maximize the storage space in your walk in cooler. Based on your input, we would design a custom package specifically for your walk in cooler.

Mobile carts can also be great time savers depending on your operation.

Viewing ports in your walk in cooler doors can help avoid collisions and eliminate opening the doors unnecessarily.

Strip curtains and PVC inner doors are low cost, high payback energy savers.

Extra lighting is inexpensive at the time of ordering your walk in cooler system. A good rule of thumb is one watt per square foot of space should be provided.

Electronic temperature controls are available for precise control of temperature and differential, as are temperature alarms for critical storage. These controls can be linked to your building alarm system.

Compressor Location Fundamentals (Indoor vs. Outdoor)

Indoor:

Indoor air-cooled condensing units in walk in coolers consist of a compressor motor and fan assembly that is mounted on a base plate. Condensing units make noise and give off heat—both of which can be objectionable depending on where they are located. Kitchen locations can be problematic to condensing units due to heat and grease over time. Compressors 1½ horsepower and above produce a significant amount of noise—they should be located either outdoors or in a basement. Another alternative is a water-cooled condensing unit; they are much quieter and greatly reduce heat output of the walk in cooler. However, since they use water for cooling, they can be very expensive to operate. Consequently, water-cooled condensing units are rarely used.

Outdoor:

Outdoor condensing units are pre-assembled and enclosed in a protective weatherhood. They contain all necessary controls to operate in an exposed, outdoor location. Outdoor condensing units also remove a big source of noise and heat load from your interior space. The walk in cooler will also operate more efficiently in colder weather. The initial cost of both equipment and installation will be somewhat higher, but there is a quick payback in efficiency and the atmosphere of your working environment.

Walk in Cooler Delivery Information

All of our walk in coolers will ship via a common carrier from our factory in Sterling Heights, MI, where we have manufactured them. Glass doors will ship from California. Refrigeration systems will ship from Georgia or Illinois. We will do our very best to coordinate the ship dates so all the equipment arrives around the same time. Click here to read more about how soon you can receive your walk in cooler!

You will be provided with terminal information so you can arrange for the delivery of your walk in cooler at your own convenience. Common carrier drivers will not assist in unloading the equipment. You will be responsible for receiving and inspecting your walk in cooler panels, and it is imperative you conduct a thorough inspection at the time of delivery—any damage must be noted in writing! We will be happy to assist in claim remediation if shipping damage occurs. The shipping department will also gladly provide you with detailed receiving advice if required.

We strive to make the delivery of your walk in cooler an easy process for you—so please, if you have any questions, do not hesitate to call SRC and ask!

Walk in Cooler Expansion Information

Future expandability is available with all SRC walk in coolers due to our modular design and construction. Our panels can be easily unlocked and moved with no damage and minimal effort, unlike a wood framed walk in cooler. You can read more about why you should avoid wood framing here (as well as why SRC’s plastic insulation is highly efficient). Our insulation will be just as energy efficient ten years from now as it is today!

Please discuss it with your salesperson if you think expanding your walk in cooler is a realistic possibility in the future. We can make sure that our design will facilitate the future plan for your walk in cooler in the most economical way. To accommodate the future expansion, you may want to consider upgrading your refrigeration system initially. A small investment up front can save you from facing the expense of replacing the entire walk in cooler system when you eventually expand. To save additional money, you should avoid running electrical or refrigeration lines through walk in cooler panels. When you expand, these lines will need to be removed.

So, most importantly, inform SRC Refrigeration as well as your contractor about your future walk in cooler expansion plans!

Walk in Cooler Insulation Information

There have been many different types of insulation used for walk in coolers—some common types you may be familiar with are fiberglass, cellulose, and styrofoam. A walk in cooler must be an excellent insulator as well as structurally solid. Newly established federal energy standards narrow the field; therefore, modern construction utilizes rigid plastic insulation. This type of insulation eliminates the substantial heat loss that occurs through wood framing materials (be careful—some companies still use wood framing materials).

So, step one in selecting a highly efficient walk in cooler is avoiding wood frame construction. Step two is deciding between the two available choices of plastic insulation that both surpass federal standards.

Polyurethane is the highest R-value per inch insulation available for walk in coolers and freezers. The raw ingredients are mixed, injected, and cured at the time of panel manufacture. Urethane bonds with the metal and fasteners to provide a long-lasting panel. Polyurethane’s chief drawback is that water vapor can build up within the insulation over time; eventually this will degrade its insulating properties.

Extruded polystyrene is the other alternative for walk in coolers and freezers. It is produced in large batches by US based chemical manufacturers and extruded by specialized machinery into usable sized panels (in controlled conditions). The end product is a highly efficient walk in cooler with R-values rivaling that of polyurethane. Extruded polystyrene has an added advantage of repelling water vapor and does not absorb moisture over time.

Rather than favoring one type over the other, SRC Refrigeration offers both types of insulation for our customers. This allows SRC to maintain flexibility in manufacturing and also cut down on lead times. Whichever choice you make for your walk in cooler or freezer, SRC has a solution to offer your business.

Floral Walk in Coolers vs. Commercial Walk in Coolers

I recently came across someone who had asked a question on FlowerShopNetwork.com regarding the differences between floral walk in coolers and commercial walk in coolers. They were starting a floral business and specifically needed information about refrigeration.

A poster on the website, Jamie Jamison Adams, answered in detail. She writes,

Refrigeration of your floral products is a very important aspect of a successful flower shop. Being able to keep you products in prime condition for design and delivery will define your shop’s quality and workmanship.

Although I was sure of the answer to this question, I turned to the experts at SRC Refrigeration to make sure I had all the facts. Here is what I learned after my discussion with Craig Richert.

Since the purchase of this equipment is essential to your success, knowing the difference in refrigeration coolers is vital. First take a look at the difference in the environmental needs of various products. Flowers require an environment with high humidity and gentle air movement. Flowers exposed to low humidity and rapid air movements begin to dehydrate. The shelf life of flowers that have become dehydrated is cut drastically. Packaged items like food and beverages, on the other hand, have a longer shelf life in low humidity and are not affected by rapid air movement. Keep in mind rapid air movement causes a low humidity condition. Craig had a great analogy for this process. Think of a concrete driveway after a rain. On a day where there is little to no breeze, the concrete stays moist for a very long time. On a day where there is a strong breeze, the concrete dries out very quickly. Why is this important in the floral industry? When a flowers dries out the petals tips curl, turn brown and collapse creating an inferior or dead product.

With the understanding of the environmental condition needs of certain products, we can discuss the difference in floral coolers and commercial coolers for food and beverages. Floral coolers are built to have gentle air movement and to encourage high humidity. Commercial coolers have rapid air movement, which creates a low humidity environment. Now I know what you are thinking--but commercial coolers are less expensive. Yes and no! On the front end commercial coolers may cost less but in reality they cost more. Shelf life and flower quality are very important factors that will affect your bottom line. If you send an arrangement to a customer with an inferior product, your customer will no longer trust your work. If the shelf life of your flowers is three days instead of seven, your product costs will increase. So in the long run, it is better to buy a refrigeration unit that is appropriate for the product it will house.

I hope this information will help you with the equipment decisions for your shop. If you have any other refrigeration questions SRC Refrigeration has some fantastic information concerning floral refrigeration coolers.

Thank you, Jamie! We're glad we were able to help!