Commercial Refrigeration Repair

Commercial Refrigerator / Freezer Repair

Expert Commercial Refrigeration Repair in Chicago and Nearby Areas

When your commercial refrigerator, freezer or cooler stops functioning as it should, the results can be disastrous. Major breakdowns can result in a loss of contents in your refrigerator and interruptions to your daily operations. Depending on the issue, your refrigerator may also be sucking back more energy than it needs to, leading to a significant increase in the cost of your utilities. As soon as you notice a problem with your cooling appliance, get in touch with us about commercial refrigeration repair. Chicago homeowners can avoid these consequences with prompt action.

Our Chicago appliance repair technicians at Saltykoff Heatting & Cooling and Appliance Repair have the training and experience to quickly diagnose the issue, find the appropriate part replacement and get your appliance back up and running—often within a matter of hours. To book your Chicago commercial refrigeration repair diagnostics appointment, give us a call at 312-841-6891, or continue reading to learn more about our service before getting in touch! 

What to Expect From Commercial Refrigeration Repair in Chicago

Our professional service is focused not just on high-quality and lasting Chicago commercial refrigeration repairs, but also on providing our valued customers with an exceptional experience. We aim to provide fast, efficient and effective service. Though each service appointment varies slightly depending on the type of repair needed and availability of parts, in general, you can expect our commercial refrigeration service to take place according to the following four stages!

Whether you contact us by phone, online contact form or some other avenue, we’ll either pick up the phone straight away or respond to your message as soon as possible. 

1) Initial Phone Call

Over the phone, we’ll ask for details on the problem you’re experiencing and provide you with our pricing for diagnostics. If you decide you’d like us to come out, we can often come out on the same day. Our technicians have all the tools and equipment needed for your diagnostic and repair, so you don’t have to worry about supplying anything.

2) Diagnostics

During your diagnostics appointment, we’re happy to have you as involved as you’d like to be. We believe in honest and open communication with our customers, so we like to explain the problem, the process and the solution during our inspection.

3) Discussion of Solutions and Pricing:

Sometimes the problem is obvious, while other times there may be a handful of reasons that your refrigerator is not working properly. We’ll explain the likelihood of each scenario and break down the cost of each repair.

4) Repair:

Once you give us the go-ahead, our service technicians will get straight to work. We’ll demonstrate what we did and the result before leaving to ensure you’re fully satisfied with our work. Our service technicians take great pride in their work, so we’re sure you will be!

Types Of Equipment:

We have experience repairing a wide variety of commercial refrigeration equipment, including but not limited to:

  • Reach-in coolers and freezers
  • Walk-in coolers and freezers
  • Prep tables
  • Ice makers
  • Drink and keg coolers
  • Blast freezers and chillers
  • Undercounter refrigerators and freezers

We’ve repaired appliances from every major brand name under the sun. If you’re not sure whether we have experience with your unit, simply reach out to us and ask. There’s a very high chance that we have! 

 

Types Of Repairs

Our customers request commercial refrigeration repair in Chicago for issues such as:

  • Leaking Refrigerators: Some common culprits include a blocked drain hose, worn gaskets and issues with your defrost drain.
  • Ice Buildup: Damaged gaskets, defrost timer failure, evaporator fan motor failure and thermostat issues may all be to blame.
  • Higher Temperature than Desired: Once again, gaskets, thermostats, and blocked drain hoses may be responsible for a refrigerator that struggles to reach your desired cooling temperature.
  • Constant Motor Noises or Unfamiliar Sounds: Your unit’s motor or fan may be reaching the end of its lifespan and require replacement.
  • Loss of Power: This is typically either a circuit breaker issue or a thermostat malfunction.

As you can see, most problems have multiple possible causes, making troubleshooting challenging for business owners and even residential refrigeration repair experts to diagnose. When you hire us for commercial refrigeration repair in Chicago, we’ll find the source of your problem quickly and make any necessary repairs or replacements so that you can avoid disruptions to your business operations.

Saltykoff Is a Leader in Commercial Refrigeration Repair, Chicago

Over the 7+ years Saltykoff Heatting & Cooling and Appliance Repair has proudly served Chicago and the surrounding area, we’ve gained a reputation for trustworthiness and responsiveness, along with efficient and effective commercial refrigeration repair. Chicago isn’t the only community we provide services to—we serve many surrounding areas, including:

  • Hinsdale, IL
  • Elmhurst, IL
  • Arlington Heights, IL
  • Barrington, IL
  • Glendale Heights, IL
  • And more!

When searching for ‘commercial refrigeration repair near me,’ you’ll find hundreds of 5-star reviews for Saltykoff written by satisfied residential and commercial customers just like you. As a locally owned and operated appliance repair business, we take great pride in serving our community. Some of the perks our customers get when they choose us for their appliance repair service include:

  • Same-day or next-day service, depending on availability. We’re automatically available 6 days a week and can even come to your home or business on Sundays, by advance request.
  • Chicago commercial refrigeration repair experts that have been thoroughly trained and certified.
  • One of the lowest diagnostic fees in the industry.
  • One-year warranty on parts and labor.

Our friendly and trustworthy technicians aren’t just repair experts, but also maintenance and installation experts. Whether you need a commercial refrigeration repair in Chicago or any other appliance repair service, our team has the experience and knowledge to get your repair done quickly, and for a reasonable price.

FAQs For Commercial Refrigeration Repair In Chicago

How Long Does a Commercial Fridge Last?

The lifespan of a commercial cooler or freezer depends on your unit’s brand and quality. A high-quality refrigerator tends to last around 10 to 15 years, while a lower-quality unit may last around seven to nine years.

At some point, refrigeration breakdown is inevitable, but replacement is rarely your only option. With regular maintenance and quality Chicago commercial refrigeration repair services, your unit can last 20 years or longer before needing replacement.

How Often Should Commercial Refrigerators Be Serviced?

To keep your unit in great shape, routine maintenance is highly recommended. Appliance experts such as ourselves will often recommend that maintenance services be used once every three to six months. Though this may seem unnecessary, bear in mind that maintenance and repairs will cost significantly less than the thousands of dollars it costs to replace a quality commercial refrigerator.

What Are the Different Components of Commercial Refrigerators That May Need Repairs?

Components used in ice machines, prep tables and walk-in commercial refrigeration systems will vary somewhat, but in general, all refrigeration units work the same way. Liquid refrigerant is circulated and transformed into a gas through a process of evaporation. This process has a cooling effect. Once turned to gas, refrigerant will be turned into liquid again, and the cycle continues.

To make this happen, several important components are required. These main components include:

  • Capillary Tube: The channel through which refrigerant moves to the evaporator. This tube is pressure-reducing.
  • Evaporator: Responsible for turning refrigerant from a liquid to a gas.
  • Compressor: This component adds heat and pressure to the gaseous refrigerant to help return it to a liquid again.
  • Condenser: Like the compressor, this is a high-pressure environment. When refrigerant enters the condenser, it cools off and returns to a liquid state.
  • Thermostat: Responsible for monitoring the inside temperature and turning the compressor on and off accordingly.

What Are the Benefits of Commercial Refrigeration Repair?

There are many benefits to investing in commercial refrigeration repair in Chicago, all of which relate to cost savings for you and your business. A malfunctioning freezer can use an exorbitant amount of energy, driving up your utility costs to prices that are enough to make you balk.

Additionally, the longer your freezer is down, the longer your business operations will be interrupted. You can’t very well serve a large number of hungry customers if you don’t have the means to keep perishables fresh, resulting in a loss of income.

When you hire our professional team of experts for commercial refrigeration repair in Chicago, you can rest assured that your system will be up and running in no time at all, thereby saving you money. Quality repairs will also help you prevent needing to replace your unit for longer, saving you from paying the staggering upfront cost of a new walk-in refrigerator.

How Can Commercial Refrigeration Condenser Coils Be Cleaned?

To prevent needing commercial refrigeration repair in Chicago, staying on top of maintenance is key. One of the easiest and most important maintenance tasks is keeping your condenser coils clean. It doesn’t take long for these to develop dust buildup, which can then require your unit to use more energy and even lead to your compressor failing.

The most inconvenient part of cleaning these coils is the preparation stage. You’ll need to remove all the food from the refrigerator first, and then shut off power. Next, remove the grate covering the coils (take a look at your unit’s owner’s manual to determine the location of the grate). Use a brush to remove dust and grime from the coils, and vacuum up the dislodged debris. Finally, check for any greasy residue. You’ll want to remove this, but choosing the right degreasing product is important for avoiding damage. Your owner’s manual should provide guidance on this as well.

What Is the Difference Between Industrial and Commercial Refrigeration Repair in Chicago?

Industrial refrigeration refers to equipment that cools non-consumables, such as oil, electronics, and heavy-duty machinery. Commercial refrigeration refers to the cooling of food products within grocery stores, convenience stores and restaurants. The infrastructure for these two types of systems may be very different, depending on what is being cooled.

Is It Worth Replacing a Compressor On a Refrigerator?

Compressors are generally very expensive to replace. Depending on the type and size of commercial refrigerator you own, a new compressor could cost around half as much as the entire unit itself. 

If there’s an issue with your compressor and your unit is still covered under a manufacturer’s warranty, you should be able to have either the compressor or the entire fridge replaced. If your unit is over 15 years old, it may be more economical to replace the unit. Our service technicians can talk you through the problem and provide you with recommendations based on our knowledge and experience.

How Can I Prevent Needing Commercial Refrigeration Repair In Chicago?

Failure of one or more components in your refrigerator may be due to natural aging and wear and tear, but there are some things you can do to prevent needing a Chicago commercial refrigeration repair service and prolong the lifespan of your unit. Our top tips include:

  • Cleaning debris and food spills along the gasket of your fridge’s door.
  • Clean the coils at least once per year. If you find that they’re extremely dirty every time you clean them, up the frequency to twice per year.
  • Avoid letting the fridge get empty. When the food within the fridge gets cold, it helps keep the entire unit cold. This allows your refrigerator to work less to keep the temperature down.

Schedule Your Commercial Refrigeration Repair In Chicago Today!

All business owners will need commercial refrigeration repair in Chicago at some point or another, but just because this is common, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t act fast. If your fridge shows signs of malfunctioning, don’t waste time searching for commercial refrigeration repair near me—contact our professional team at Saltykoff Heatting & Cooling and Appliance Repair right away!

To book a diagnostic service, we encourage you to contact us directly at 312-841-6891. If the issue isn’t as urgent, you can also fill out our online contact form. Regardless, we’ll make it a priority to get back to you right away so that your refrigerator doesn’t cost you any more time and money than it needs to.