Installing a cold room is a crucial investment for many businesses, particularly in the food, logistics, healthcare, and catering sectors. However, poor planning or technical errors can lead to financial losses, frequent breakdowns, or even health risks.
Here are the 5 mistakes the a6> most common to avoid to ensure a high-performance, durable installation that complies with standards.
1. Choosing an unsuitable location
One of the first mistakes is to neglect a2> first mistakes is to neglect the location of the cold room chamber. Installing a cold room in a poorly ventilated place, exposed directly to the sun or difficult to access can lead to:
Excessive consumption of energy.
Premature wear of the refrigeration unit.
Maintenance difficulties.
Food safety issues.
Tip: Choose a location away from sources of heat, well ventilated, easily accessible for loading and unloading operations, and compliant with the requirements of your building.
2. Incorrectly sizing the cold room
Installing a room that is too large or too small is a common mistake, often due to a failure to analyze actual needs. This can result in:
A loss of space (oversized room).
Inefficient cooling (undersized chamber).
Unnecessary energy costs.
To be taken into account:
The required storage volume (in cubic meters).
The type of products stored (fresh produce, frozen goods, medicines, etc.).
The frequency of loading/unloading.
The future evolution of your needs.
3. Neglecting thermal insulation
Insulation is the cornerstone of energy efficiency in a cold room. Insufficient insulation leads to heat loss, which forces the system to operate at full capacity.
Common errors:
Poor choice of sandwich panels or insulation thickness.
Air leaks due to poor sealing.
Damaged or poorly installed seals.
Solution: Choose materials with high thermal resistance (e.g., polyurethane panels), have them professionally installed, and check the seal at each joint.
4. Underestimating the power refrigeration required
The choice of refrigeration unit is a sensitive technical issue. An unsuitable unit will not be able to maintain the required temperature, especially in summer or during periods of high stock turnover.
Factors to consider:
Room temperature.
Desired indoor temperature.
Total volume of the chamber.
Frequent air leaks (open doors).
Type of goods stored.
Please note: It is better to invest in a slightly oversized unit than an undersized one, but it is essential to optimize the calculation with the help of a refrigeration professional.
5. Ignoring ventilation and air circulation
Poor air circulation leads to condensation, temperature variations, and can compromise product preservation. This is especially true for large or heavily loaded cold rooms.
Mistakes to avoid:
Improper positioning of evaporators.
Absence of forced ventilation.
Storage stuck to the walls which blocks the circulation of air.
Recommendations:
Leave a space between the walls and the shelves.
Regularly check that the air is circulating evenly.
Adopt an optimized airflow pattern.
Bonus tips for a successful installation
Here are some additional recommendations to avoid common pitfalls:
Work with qualified professionals: Call on a company specializing in industrial refrigeration for advice, installation, and maintenance.
Schedule regular maintenance: Cleaning, checking seals, monitoring temperature, etc. This ensures durability and prevents costly breakdowns.
Comply with applicable standards: HACCP standards, energy regulations, health standards, etc. Each sector has its own legal obligations.
Conclusion
Installing a cold room cannot be improvised. It requires rigorous planning, precise calculations, knowledge of technical constraints and strict compliance with standards. By avoiding the errors mentioned in this article, you maximize the performance of your installation while reducing your operating costs. a29> costs of operation.
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