IA REVIEWER Six interior plumbing and heating.
It is the common
LESSON 3: DOMESTIC REFRIGERATION
AND AIR-CONDITIONING
History of Domestic Refrigeration and
Air-Conditioning
Refrigeration - The act of cooling a space or a
substance to a temperature below that of its
surroundings is called refrigeration. This is
accomplished by removing heat through the use of a
heat absorbing fluid called refrigerant. It is the liquid
in cooling appliances that is circulated through tubes
made of thin metals. These tubes are formed into
coils called evaporator coils.
Refrigeration, by means of natural ice, has been
employed for thousands of years. Ice cellars were
already being used in China in 1000 B.C. In the 19th
century, natural ice refrigeration developed to a large
scale in the United States.
Importance of Refrigeration
Refrigeration - is of great importance in the storage
of food. It retards the spoilage of foods to keep it
fresh for many days. The role it plays in the
packaging, shipment, storage, and marketing of
perishable food products is acknowledgement By
households and industries all over the world.
Use of Copper Tube in Refrigeration and Air-
Conditioning Unit
Copper Tubing
- is used to connect the major parts of the
refrigeration system such as evaporator coil, the
compressor, the condenser coil and the expansion
valve, most copper tubing is available from 1/8 inch
to ¾ inch of a diameter.
- is available in three types. Type K, L and M.
Type K tubing is used for heavy duty purpose
because of its thick wall. Type L tubing is used for
types used in HVAC system. Type M is used for light
duty work.
Soft copper tubing - This is used in domestic and
some commercial refrigeration and air-conditioning
work, because it is easy to bend and flare.
Hard drawn copper tubing - This is used in
commercial refrigeration and air conditioning
applications. Being hard and stiff, it needs few
Clamps to support it in installation.
Steel tubing - This is thin wall tubing, Its size is
practically the same as that of copper tubing, and
hence connections may be made on steel tubing by
using either flare joints or silver brazed joints.
Stainless steel tubing - It is very resistant to
corrosion, easily connected to fitting by either flaring
or brazing because of this qualities, stainless steel is
often required in food processing and similar works.
Plastic tubing - this type of tubing with
polyethylene is one of the most common substances
used in the manufacture of plastic tubing.
Aluminum tubing - It is usually used for evaporating
units in air conditioning for home and auto- mobile.
Commonly, it is used for evaporator (freezer) of the
domestic refrigerators.
FITTING
A fitting is a device used to connect tubes of
different widths and lengths.
1. Flaring tube fitting - This is used in flared type
connection to attach fittings in copper tubing. There
are many different fittings which are hexagonal in
shape for wrench attachment. These threaded fittings
must be carefully handled to prevent damage.
2. Flare hose fitting – This includes assorted nylon
fittings suitable to refrigerant hoses.
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3. Soldered or brazed tube fitting – This type is
used in most tubing and fitting connections that are
either by soldering or silver brazing. Soldered joints
are used for water pipes and drains. Silver brazed
joints are used for refrigerant pipes and fittings.
DOMESTIC REFRIGERATION
The Refrigerator
In general, a refrigerator may be defined as
any box, room, device used to keep things cool. As a
home storage unit, a refrigerator is an insulated
cabinet filled with an automatically regulated
mechanism that both keep the cabinet temperature at
the proper level for the storage of perishable foods
and also provides a supply of ice.
Two kinds of refrigerators are generally made for
household use, namely: the electrical or mechanical
and the flame-operated.
Operated by electricity, the electrical type is
considered as mechanical device since a motor-driven
compressor is used to pump the refrigerant through a
closed system of pipes. The refrigerant used is
usually Freon 12.
With no moving parts, the gas-operated
refrigerator is an absorption cycle type of
refrigeration. The refrigerant used is ammonia and its
refrigeration cycle is controlled by varying the sizes
of the gas flame.
A freezer is a refrigerator with more freezing
units.
THE BASIC PARTS OF THE REFRIGERATOR
The basic parts of a refrigerator include the
insulated cabinet, freezing and condensing unit,
and thermostat.
1. Insulated Cabinet - A well-insulated cabinet is
essential for efficiency and economy. There is a need
for a good insulator so that cold temperature is
conserved inside the refrigerator. Examples:
sawdust, styrofoam
2. Freezing and Condensing Unit - A refrigerant is
substance that absorbs a relatively huge amount of
heat when it changes from liquid state of vapor. It is
this absorption of heat that provides the cooling
effect. The boiling point of refrigerant is below 00C.
Examples: Freon, ammonia
The evaporator - is the cooling or freezing unit in
any refrigeration system.
The compressor - is the condensing unit.
3. Thermostat - All household refrigerators are
fitted with an automatic temperature-sensitive
control. When the proper temperature has been
established, the controlling device automatically
shuts off the motor until the temperature rises above
the prescribed limit then the process begins.
PRINCIPLES OF REFRIGERATION
Conduction, convection and radiation are the
three modes of distribution of heat.
Some engineers theorize that evaporation and
condensation is the fourth method of heat transfer.
The vaporization of a solid without the
intermediate formation of a liquid is called
sublimation.
HOW A REFRIGERATOR WORKS
A. Mechanical
1. The refrigerant enters the evaporating coils as a
cold mixture of vapor and liquid under low pressure.
At low pressure, the refrigerant has a corresponding
low boiling point.
2. As the refrigerant passes through the evaporator
coils, heat is absorbed from the coils and the liquid
changes into vapor.
3. Passing through coils, the refrigerant leaves the
refrigerated compartment (evaporator) with a higher
temperature, but still cooler than outside air.
4. It goes to the compressor then to the condenser. As
the refrigerant gives off heat, the vapor condenses
into liquid.
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5. The liquid refrigerant under high pressure passes
through a capillary tube before reentering the
evaporator. Pressure is thereby lowered, turning it
into vapor again-chilling the remaining liquid in the
evaporator.
B. Gas Refrigeration
1. Heat from the flame causes ammonia to turn into
gas as it bubbles upward. Ammonia gas lifts liquid
water into rectifier.
2. At the rectifier, ammonia and water separate. Water
drains into an absorber and ammonia gas rises to
condenser.
3. At the condenser, the ammonia gas cools, changing
liquid form which drains Into the evaporator.
4. At the evaporator, ammonia absorbs heat from the
interior of the refrigerator thereby cooling the food
inside.
C. Frost-free Refrigeration
The freezing compartment is an independent
section of the refrigerator. The evaporator coils are
defrosted automatically by electrical heating elements
mounted next to the coils. The heating are tuned on
by a timer and turned off by a thermostat. The melted
water drains into a pan located near the condenser
and evaporator.
DOMESTIC AIR-CONDITIONING
Air-conditioning - the earliest climate control
systems. It also refers to the creation of artificial
climate and maintaining a constant, pleasant
condition inside rooms and buildings, providing a
steady flow of purified air.
Willis Carrier carried out a scientific study on air-
conditioning. Known as the “father of air-
conditioning.”
In the summer of 1902, he designed the first
system to control the temperature, humidity, and
circulation of indoor air.
PRINCIPLES IN AIR-CONDITIONING
The cooling capacity of a room air conditioner is
given in terms of the British Thermal Unit (B.T.U).
The quantity of heat needed to raise the temperature
of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit is one
B.t.u.
The Heat Pump – the electrically-driven heat pump
is a new development in air conditioning technology.
It is a combination heating-and-cooling unit that
transfers heat from one location to another in very
much the same way that a refrigerator does.
Modern refrigeration and air-conditioning work on
essentially the same principle. The basic system
consists of a compressor driven by an electric motor
and two coils. In the first coil, called the condenser,
the refrigerant gas is compressed into a liquid,
discharging heat as it changes state. In the second
coil, called the evaporator, the refrigerant becomes a
gas again, absorbing heat from outside the coil. The
essential ingredient is the refrigerant gas. Early
refrigerant materials included air, water, butane,
propane, ether, ammonia.
IMPORTANCE OF AIR-CONDITIONING
Air-conditioning and refrigeration are
essential in all segments of modern society. Nearly
every newly-built home has central air conditioning
installed, and many existing buildings are retrofitted
with air-conditioning equipment. Carefully controlled
temperature and humidity conditions are crucial to
the manufacture, transport, and storage of numerous
products. Numerous chemicals, pharmaceuticals,
explosives, solid state electronic devices, and oil
products require refrigeration during their production.
Fully 95 percent of food production depends
on refrigeration, including some half-billion tons of
perishable food each year. In addition, refrigeration
supports surgery by safely storing drugs, blood, bone,
and tissue, and by supplying clean, pure ice for such
purposes as frigid anesthesia.
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 HOW AN AIR CONDITIONER WORKS
The usual home air conditioner is a
refrigerator that cools the air in a specific space
(room or house). The refrigerant, usually Freon 12, is
passed through an expansion valve where it is
vaporized and greatly cooled. From the expansion
valve, it goes to the coil of pipes blowing over warm
air to cool it. Freon is then pushed to the compressor
then to the expansion valve until the cycle is
completed. The freon moves back to the evaporator
to repeat the process.
SIZE OF AIR-CONDITIONER
Air conditioning systems are of 2 general types:
central air conditioning unit and room units.
A. Central Air-conditioning Unit - cools the whole
house or building.
B. Room Units - cool only the room where they are
placed.
An air conditioner is rated according to its capacity to
remove heat. It is measured in BTU (British Thermal
Unit), Tonnage, and Horsepower.
BTU, British Thermal Unit - is the amount of heat
required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water
1°F. BTU measurement indicates the amount of heat
it will remove in a certain area.
Tonnage - relates to a conditioner’s cooling effect
achieved by melting a ton of ice in an hour.
Horsepower - ratings are not considered an accurate
method. The horsepower referred to is that of the
compressor motor. A one horsepower air conditioner
will provide 8,000 to 10,000 BTU’s of cooling in an
hour.
FEATURE OF ROOM AIR-CONDITIONER
Room air conditioners are simple to operate.
There are some features to look for when buying or
installing an air conditioner.
1. Thermostat - prevents wide temperature
fluctuations.
2. Multiple fan speed - blows the cool air into the
room and circulates it. De luxe Models have more
than two sets of speed.
3. Automatic control - regulates the fan speed to
disperse the right amount of cool air and to maintain
a pre-set degree of comfort.
4. Condensation disposal - disposes of water
removed from the air.
5. Air direction control - regulates the direction of the
cool air. Some air conditioners have automatic
moving louvers that change direction of the cool air.
6. Fresh air intake - is a feature that exhausts stale
air or brings in fresh air or both.
7. Dehumidification - is the removal of excess
moisture from the room air.
8. Filters - remove air borne dust so clean air is
supplied in the room. This may be metal or plastic
mesh (which can be cleaned and reused) or glass
fiber (which must be replaced from time to time.
TROUBLESHOOTING MINOR
REFRIGERATOR AND AIR-CONDITIONER
Problems and Maintenance of the Refrigerator
The most common problem in a refrigerator is the
formation of thick ice or frost in the freezer section.
Frost is formed when moisture in the air is cooled
and become ice. Defrosting is necessary so that there
is proper cooling of food inside the refrigerator.
REFRIGERATOR PROBLEMS
1. Replacing a refrigerator door gasket
2. Refrigerator does not run; light inside is off
Causes:
A. Power cord disconnected
B. Tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse
C. Faulty power cord
Solution:
A. Plug in cord.
B.Check that no other appliance is operating on the
same circuit. Reset circuit breaker or replace fuse.
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3. Unit does not run, light inside goes
4. Units run longer than usual
5. Units not cold enough
Causes:
a. Temperature control not switched
properly
b. Not enough air circulating to coils on back of
unit
Solution:
A. Reset. Read instructions in the manual
B. Make sure unit is 4 inches from the wall.
C. Remove any paper or other things caught.
LESSON 4: COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION
AND AIR- CONDITIONING
CONCEPTS, THEORIES AND PRINCIPLES OF
REFRIGERATION
A. Heat - is a form of energy transferred by virtue of
a difference in temperature.
B. Cold - is a relative term referring to the lack of
heat in an object, substance, or area. Another
definition describes it as the absence of heat, no
process yet has been devised of achieving “absolute
zero,” the state in which all heat has been removed
from any object, substance, or area.
C. Refrigeration, or cooling process, - is the
removal of unwanted heat from a selected object,
substance, or space and its transfer to another object,
substance, or space.
D. Mechanical refrigeration - is the utilization of
mechanical components arranged in a “refrigeration
system” for the purpose of transferring heat.
E. Refrigerants - are chemical compounds that are
alternately compressed and condensed into a liquid
and then permitted to expand into a vapor or gas as
they are pumped through the mechanical refrigeration
system to cycle.
F. Refrigeration system fundamental components -
The job of the refrigeration cycle is to remove
unwanted heat from one place and discharge it into
another.
Two different pressures exist in the cycle –
the evaporating or low pressure in the “low side,”
and the condensing, or high pressure, in the “high
side.” These pressure areas are separated by two
dividing points: one is the metering device where the
refrigerant flow is controlled, and the other is at the
compressor, where vapor is compressed.
The metering device - is a point where we will start
the trip through the cycle. This may be a thermal
expansion valve, a capillary tube, or any other device
to control the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator,
or cooling coil, as a low-pressure, low-temperature
refrigerant.
The refrigeration system requires some means
of connecting the basic major components:
evaporator, compressor, condenser, and metering
device – just as roads connect communities. Tubing
or “lines” make the system complete so that the
refrigerant will not leak out into the atmosphere. .
CONCEPTS, THEORIES AND PRINCIPLES OF
COMMERCIAL AIR-CONDITIONING
NOTE: THE AIRCONDITION MUST CONTROL
(4) CONDITIONS
- It must cool the air
-It must circulate the air
- It must purify the air
- It must dehumidify the air
Human Comfort
Inevitably, ‘comfort’ is a very subjective
matter. The engineering aims to ensure ‘comfort’ for
the most people found from statistical surveys.
In order to brings its condition to within the
comfort zone we may need to do one or more of the
following:
a) Heat it
b) Cool it
c) Dehumidify it
d) Humidify it or;
e) Mix it
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Heat Measurement
There are two different temperature scales
most commonly used, Fahrenheit and Celsius. Heat
is measured in British Thermal Units (BTU’s) and
Calories. BTU – amount of heat energy required to
raise one Pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.
Calorie – amount of heat energy Required to raise
one gram of water one degree Celsius.
TYPES OF HEAT
Sensible Heat: When the heat that is applied to a
substance merely raises its temperature, but does not
change its physical state. It is the heat which, added
to or subtracted from a substance, produces the
changes in temperature indicated on a thermometer.
(i.e. It is the heat that you feel or sense)
Latent Heat: The heat released or absorbed by a
substance when it changes its physical state to
another with no change in temperature. (i.e. ice to
liquid and liquid to vapor)
There are two forms of latent heat:
- Latent Heat of Fusion
- Latent Heat of Vaporization
Latent Heat of Fusion - in the conversion of a liquid
to a solid, or vice versa (i.e. The Freezing
Point – For water it is 32°F or 0°C).
Latent Heat of Vaporization - in the conversion of a
liquid to a vapor, or vice versa. (i.e. The
Boiling Point – For water it is 212°F or 100°C).
The latent heat of vaporization phenomenon is the
founding principle in refrigeration and air
conditioning. It is known as the cooling effect.
UNDERSTANDING HEAT TRANSFER
How does heat get inside a vehicle?
When a car is driven or parked in the sun,
heat enters the vehicle from many sources.
These sources include:
- Ambient air
- Sunlight
- Engine heat
- Road heat
- Transmission
- Exhaust heat
Three processes of heat transfer:
1. Radiation: Heat moves from a heat source to an
object by means of heat rays. For example, you feel
heat from a fireplace, even though air is traveling past
you and going up the chimney. You are warmed by
radiated heat. (i.e. Engine compartment heat, body of
the vehicle exposed to the sun, etc.)
2. Convection: Heat flows in a stream of air or liquid
that is hotter than what it flows over, around, or
through. For example, a blow dryer generates a
stream of heated air to dry hair. The hair is heated by
convection. (i.e. The inlet air of the HVAC unit
scrubbing the aluminum fins of the evaporator or vice
versa with the condenser)
3. Conduction: Heat travels along a material. For
example, if a spoon is left in a pot of boiling water,
the spoon handle will get hot, even though the handle
is outside the pot. Heat is conducted along the spoon
handle. (i.e. The heat in the coil’s fins passing to the
refrigerant passages & into the refrigerant)
Temperature/Pressure Relationship
How does the AC system create this
phenomenon? Pressure / temperature relationship: As
the pressure on a liquid is increased, the boiling point
rises. As the pressure on a liquid is decreased, the
boiling point drops.
In an air conditioning system, the refrigerant
is contained in a closed loop plumbing system that
can be pressurized.
The pressure in the evaporator is low, so that
all the refrigerant vaporizes. The pressure in the
6
condenser is high, so the refrigerant readily changes 24. Engineer’s square
state to a liquid. 25. Recovery and Recycling unit
In an air conditioning system, a compressor is 26. Vacuum Gauge
used to increase the pressure of the refrigerant; this 27. Vacuum Pump
Raises its temperature. The refrigerant vapor entering 28. Oxy-acetylene torch set
the condenser is hot. 29. Electronic leak detector
In this air conditioning system, an expansion 30. Calibrated leak test
valve is used to lower the pressure of the refrigerant;
the refrigerant in the evaporator is cold. TYPES OF AIR CONDITIONERS
Automotive A/C Systems are designed to
operate at pressures that keep the refrigerant at the 1. Window Air Conditioners
optimum temperature for taking heat out of the Commonly, these units have the ability to cool
passenger compartment. one room at a time, and if you have a large home, you
may need one of these installed in each room you
BASIC TROUBLESHOOTING OF want cooled. Largely inexpensive, these are still the
REFRIGERATION AND AIR-CONDITIONING most popular option for those who live in small
homes or apartments. Another advantage of the
TOOLS COMMONLY USED BY window unit is that they can be moved between
REFRIGERATION AND AIR-CONDITIONING rooms as necessary and removed altogether in colder
TECHNICIANS months. One of the disadvantages of window air
conditioners is losing the use of the window that it’s
1. Copper Cut Cutter installed in, both in terms of access to fresh air and
2. Deburring Tools the amount light which enters the room. A less
3. Flaring Tool common concern, but one to be aware of, is that
4. Pipe Calibration Tool window units mounted in windows close to the
5. Ruler, Pen & Pencil ground can be easily compromised by burglars.
6. Torch wrench
7. Tube Expander 2. Central Air Conditioning
8. Vernier Caliper For those with a large home who want to cool
9. Oil Can many rooms at once, central air conditioning or
10. Torch lighter “central air” as it’s commonly known, is going to be
11. Rubber Mallet the most effective form of air conditioning. The
12. Safety Glasses system begins with a cooling compressor, which is
13. Insulating Gloves located outside of the home and is the piece that
14. Refrigeration Rachet actually cools the air. A coil filled with refrigerant is
15. Spray bottle used to cool the air, which is then blown by a fan and
16. Manifold Gauge distributed throughout your house through your
17. Refrigerator hoses established ductwork.
18. Weighing Scale
19. Tool kit for Fitting 3. Portable Air Conditioners
20. Non-Metallic Abrasives Pad Similar to window air conditioners, portable
21. Phosphorus Silver Brazing Alloy air conditioners are another example of a “unitary” or
22. Phosphorus Brazing Alloy self-contained air conditioning system. What this
23. Pipe bending tool means is that like window units, portable air
7
conditioners have all of their important components
contained within one appliance. These units are most
commonly used in situations where either the design
of a room or building rules and regulations prevent
the installation of a window unit. The way these work
is by cooling the air with a condenser coil contained
inside the unit and then sending the warm air out
through a large exhaust hose.
4. Through-the-wall Air Conditioners
Just like window air conditioners, through-
the-wall air conditioners bring in warm air which is
then exhausted, while they send cool air back into the
room. Like window units and portable air
conditioners, these are self-contained or “unitary”
systems.
5. Ductless Split System Air Conditioners
“Split systems” are the air conditioners that
provide cooling to different “zones” within home.
These systems, unlike window units or portable air
conditioners, are not self-contained appliances, but as
the name suggests, are comprised of a two-part
system. These are most commonly used in buildings
without a comprehensive duct system. They’re called
a ‘split system’ because they consist of two or more
parts, the condenser unit, which is installed outdoors,
and then compact blower units or evaporative units,
which are usually mounted on walls, situated in
appropriate areas for the ‘zones’ you want to be cool.
6. Package Terminal Air Conditioners
Package Terminal Air Conditioners or PTACs
are the types of air conditioning system which is
commonly found in commercial spaces such as
hotels, hospitals, apartment buildings, and senior or
assisted living facilities. If you’ve stayed in a hotel
before, you know that these are most often installed
just above the floor and usually just below a window.
The part you don’t see is that on the other side of the
wall, the PTAC has an exhaust system sending warm
air outside of the building.
7. Evaporative or “Swamp” Coolers
Evaporative Coolers sometimes referred to as
“swamp coolers,” aren’t nearly as common As
refrigerant air conditioners, but can be equally as
effective. Unlike traditional air conditioners, Which
use a refrigerant, commonly referred to as Freon,
swamp coolers use only air and water.
8. Geothermal Heating and Cooling
Geothermal technology takes advantage of
this ground temperature to heat and cool your home
more efficiently than other methods. A piping system,
often known as a “loop,” or “earth loop,” circulates
water between your home, a heat pump, and the earth
itself. These polyethylene pipes can be installed
either vertically or horizontally, depending on the
nature of the site’s geography.
TYPES OF REFRIGERATOR
1. Top-Freezer Refrigerators
These traditional refrigerators are good for a
lot of storage in a fairly tight spot. They tend to offer
the most space for their size (widths vary between 28
and 33 inches). Manufacturers claim up to 23-cubic-
foot capacities, but our tests found average usable
capacity is 17 percent less. Allow for a wide swing of
the doors, and get used to crouching down to reach
lower shelves and drawers.
2. Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators
Widths range from 24 to 36 inches, and
claimed capacities approach 30 cubic feet, though
average usable space is less than that of comparable
top-freezers. (Top-freezers cost less, too.) Instead of
the freezer, which many people use less, being at eye
level, your refrigerator shelves are easily scannable.
Just get used to bending to rifle through frozen goods.
3. French-Door Refrigerators
These have two narrow doors on top and a
freezer below. Sometimes there is one drawer (or
more) in between. Widths range from 28 to 36 inches.
Claimed capacities go up to 34 cubic feet, though the
8
average usable space is much less, at 17 cubic feet.
The space-saving small-swing doors have the added
value of opening only half the fridge when stashing
smaller items.
4. Side-by-Side Refrigerators
With the fridge on one side and freezer on the
other, these usually have through-the-door ice and
water dispensers. With widths typically 33 to 36
inches, they’re claimed to have roughly up to 28
cubic feet capacity (but only about 70 percent is
usable). Narrow doors are a plus for small kitchens,
but they don’t open wide enough for, say, a pizza
box, and tall, narrow compartments make items stuck
at the back hard to find. Overall, they’re not as
energy- or space- efficient as other types.
5. Built-In Refrigerators
Pricey and made to fit almost flush with
cabinets and counters, these sleek beauties come in
bottom-freezer, side-by-side, and French-door styles.
They are usually wide (30 to 48 inches), with
capacities up to 27 cubic feet (of which only about 70
percent is usable). Look for optional front panels to
match your kitchen cabinets. Or get the look for a
little less with freestanding counter- depth versions.
Another built-in option: a column fridge, as narrow
as 18 inches, to make the most of a kitchen nook.
6. Compact Refrigerators
These are perfect for a dorm room, your
office, or a kitchenette. Keep in mind that some
models have only one quarter the capacity of a
regular fridge but cost just as much to operate.
Temperature performance can be iffy in some models
(allowing it to rise above 40° F, the point at which
your food starts to sprout harmful bacteria), so save
these minis for sodas and other Beverages or for
temporary storage of snacks (rather than milk, mayo,
or other perishables). Consumer Reports does not
currently test compact and mini fridges.
COMMON COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATOR
REPAIR ISSUES AND TROUBLESHOOTING
Commercial refrigerators are often larger, run
at a cooler temperature, and may have many more
sections than a standard home refrigerator. Because
of cooling a larger space and running at a lower
temperature, commercial units may suffer more wear
and tear and may break down more often than the
refrigerator you have at home.
Seven (7) Issues of Commercial Refrigerator
1. Power Issues
First, make sure your unit does not have a
power switch that has been switched off. You should
check to see if the power cord has been properly
plugged in all the way to the outlet, as it may have
been knocked out of place. If that still isn’t the
option, then check if the wiring for the outlet and
ground wires are active. The issue may be the power
supply and not the unit. Use a voltage detector to
make sure the outlet has voltage present.Remember:
Most manufacturers warn users to never use
extension cords for their commercial fridges, as a use
of the cords will void the warranty!
2. Evaporator Fan
You need to make sure that your evaporator
fan is running correctly. You’ll need to first let the ice
melt off the evaporator, if ice is present, by turning
off your unit. The coils of the evaporator should be
clean and you can locate cleaning tips in your
model’s manual. Make sure That the drain lines are
clear as well. You may notice that only a part of the
evaporator coil is freezing up, which could indicate
you have a low charge, so the pressures and sub-
cooling may need to be checked either by you or a
certified technician.
3. Lighting Issues
Sometimes you may have a minor problem,
such as the lights aren’t working in your unit. If that’s
the case, you need to take a look at the lights
9
themselves. True and other brands use LED lights,
but if you need to replace a bulb, make sure it’s
verified and approved by your equipment’s
manufacturer, or else you run the risk of burning out
the electrical sockets for the lights. Always read the
manual that accompanies your appliance to make
sure you’re using the proper recommended repair
option.
4. Frost buildup inside the unit
Your commercial refrigerator should have a
defrost cycle set, which helps to remove any frost
buildup and excess condensation inside the unit. If
this cycle is not adjusted properly, frost can build up.
You can find the defrost cycle inside the unit; it’s set
with a timer that may look like a temperature control.
Adjust the defrost cycle so that the unit defrosts more
often and this may address the problem. If this
doesn’t do the trick, call a technician to see if this
control needs to be rewired or repaired.
5. Ice in the drain pan
A commercial refrigeration unit will have a
drain pan that may need emptying; if you notice ice
in this pan, this often means that the drain line is
somewhat clogged and in turn, the water that should
be draining gets cool and icy before it drains
completely. Ignoring this problem can mean that the
drain line becomes clogged completely, and cause the
unit to overheat or the water to back up into the unit.
Check the line for obstructions, kinks, or other repairs
that need to be done.
6. Temperature Problems with Your Refrigerator
Your door should close properly and seal completely
so the unit can perform proper cooling processes.You
may also have a problem where the temperature
control gauge is offering an incorrect reading or is
broken altogether. If this is the case, manufacturers
like True have made The temperature gauge easy to
replace. Your incorrect temperature read could also
be because of a blocked vent. Double check your
temperature by using a thermometer to make sure to
make sure the thermostat is indeed working.
7. Compressors
The refrigerator compressor is used to keep
your food cool, and if it’s not working, your unit
won’t cool properly. True and other companies
outline in their respective manuals how often you
need to clean the compressor, but it’s typically every
90 days. Dirt hair, grease and more may build up in
the compressor and keep it from functioning. Verify
that the compressor has been cleaned recently, and is
working as it should. A compressor that is running
hot will certainly cause a refrigerator from getting
cold.
Pointers for Preventing Problems
You can prevent many minor problems that
occur in commercial refrigeration equipment. By
checking every part of your refrigeration equipment
for consistent functioning, you can prevent many
malfunctions that could cost you a lot of time and
money. Here are some additional tips:
• Perform routine maintenance.
• Clean equipment regularly.
• Replace worn parts promptly.
COMMON COMMERCIAL AIR-
CONDITIONING ISSUES AND
TROUBLESHOOTING
1. The Issue: You’re a/C Won’t Turn On
Possible Causes: If you can’t get the air conditioning
system to activate at all, then you most likely have a
blown circuit breaker or fuse, improperly set or faulty
thermostat, or an internal switch being off.
Possible Solutions:
• Make sure it’s receiving power from the
electrical panel.
• Reset the circuit break or replace your fuse.
• Check your thermostat settings to make sure
it’s on “cool” and not set to “off” or “heat.”
• Check your condensation overflow tray for
excessive water. There may be a sensor on
your tray that turns the unit off when water is
collected.
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 • Check that all switches in and around the air basement or crawl spaces. Repair or connect
conditioner are set to the “on” position, as needed.
including the external safety switch usually • Check register dampers on vents in the rooms
near the condensing unit. to make sure they are set to an open position.
• Check to make sure the blower door on the air
handler is securely closed. Cleaning your air conditioner is something
you can do on your own, provided you have a basic
2. The Issue: You’re a/C Turns On But Isn’t understanding of the parts of your unit. However,
Cooling there comes a time when you need to seek out
Possible Causes: If you can hear your central air professional service. If you’ve already done basic
conditioner running but it doesn’t cool well, this troubleshooting and the problem still exists, consider
could be a result of something blocking airflow calling us for help.
anywhere in your system — filters, registers or
compressors. Low refrigerant levels could also be the
culprit. Without the right refrigerant level, heat and
humidity cannot efficiently be removed from the air.
Possible Solutions:
• Check the thermostat to make sure it’s
working properly.
• Take a look at the condenser to see if it’s dirty
or blocked. If so, clean it and remove the
blockage. The condenser can become blocked
by tall weeds, grass, or other airborne debris.
• Clean and/or change your filter (We
recommend once a quarter.)
• See if any ice has formed on the coils. If so,
turn the fan on to melt it.
• Check and/or clean the outdoor compressor.
You could have a faulty compressor or an
inadequate amount of refrigerant in the
system, which would require a professional to
fix.

3. The Issue: Poor Airflow Circulating

Throughout Your Home
Possible Causes: Usually poor air flow results from
a dirty air filter or ductwork that has become blocked,
crimped, or even disconnected.
Possible Solutions:
• Confirm air filter is clean. If dirty, clean or
replace the air filter.
• Inspect all ductwork to make sure it has not
become disconnected, including ductwork
that may be difficult to reach in your attic,
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