Walk-in cooler
Buying a walk-in cooler or freezer can be a large investment. Make sure you are well informed before making a decision. When making a decision on which walk in cooler or freezer to buy there are many things that must be considered. Make you decision on your needs and not what someone is trying to sell you. There are three types of insulation used in walk-in coolers today: 1.expanded polystyrene insulation, 2.polyurethane insulation and 3.extruded polystyrene insulation. Expanded Polystyrene -This insulation is the same type of insulation used in Styrofoam cups. It has been a reliable insulation material that has a lower up front cost but also has a lower initial 90 day aged R-value (The higher the R-value the more resistance to heat flow thus less energy used). Polyurethane insulation- is among many other things used as packaging foam and in the construction of walk through outside residential and commercial doors. It has a high 90 day aged R-value of R-24 but is less capable of moisture resistance and Rvalue retention. Extruded polystyrene-This insulation is used in insulating underground concrete foundations and floors. It has a high 90 day aged R-value (R-20) and has a great moisture resistance and ability to retain around 75% of its R-value or (r-15) over the life of the product. Skins to chose from: G 90 Galvanized - This economical material is probably the most popular skin used in walk-in coolers and freezers. The G90 depicts the type of galvanizing with G60 having less resistance to corrosion than G90. Aluminum as a raw material is more sensitive to price fluctuations. It is very resistant to corrosion except for salt spray and is not as strong as other metals and can dent very easily. Galvalume is steel coated with combination of aluminum and galvanizing material. It has the strength of steel but is twelve times more corrosion resistant than galvanized. Painted G90 Galvanized - Painted galvanized is more expensive than Galvalume but is more resistant to corrosion and has the benefit of providing a choice in colour for customers who want the painted look.
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Stainless steel is the most expensive of all metal skins normally used in walk-in coolers construction. It is the strongest and least corrosive of all the metals and usually comes in 24-gauge thickness. Refrigeration systems consist of a condensing unit and an evaporation coil. The condensing unit is located outside the walk-in and the evaporator is located inside the walk-in. Refrigeration systems like walk-ins can be purchased with lower up front cost. Remote systems are the least expensive systems to purchase. They consist of a condensing unit, evaporator unit. Pre-assembled Remote Systems are the same as Remote Systems except all the parts are shipped installed on either the condensing unit or the evaporator coil. Pre-assembled Remote Systems are the same as Remote Systems except all the parts are shipped installed on either the condensing unit or the evaporator coil. Side Mount Refrigeration Systems are the same as Top Mount Refrigeration Systems except they are installed on one of the wall panels with bolts that go through the refrigeration plug and wall panel and are attached with nuts on the inside of the walk in cooler. They also require that a condensation drain hose be connected to a drain nearby. Saddle Mount Refrigeration Systems come completely pre-assembled on a bracket that is designed to be mounted over the top of one of the wall panels. These systems must be installed on a panel with slots cut in the top to allow the bracket to go through the wall. Penthouse Refrigeration Systems are like Standard Top Mount Systems except they do not have an evaporator coil sticking down inside the walk-in cooler. The air inside the walk-in is drawn up through the evaporator coil located with the condensing unit on top of the walk-in to be cooled. Roll up Refrigeration Systems are a lot like Penthouse Refrigeration Systems except they are rolled up to an opening in the side of the walk-in and attached to the unit. A licensed refrigeration technician will be needed to install the refrigeration system. If dumping the heat inside the building is not a concern then choosing a self contained side mount or top mount refrigeration system verses a penthouse or rollup refrigeration unit should be decided by how important the space in the walk-in is to you. Whatever the refrigeration system you chose it is important to check the efficiency of the unit and the manufacturer's warranty to make your final choice. Cooler and Freezer refrigeration systems that are installed outdoors require a winter kit and rain roof installed to prevent water from leaking into the box.
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Where to buy? The company should have been in business for at least ten years. The company should have a good web site explaining the items they offer and information about the company. They should answer the phone with a person not an answering device. They should have clear quotes with itemized listing of the items provided. They should be very informative and pleasant on the phone and treat you with interest and respect. Their location and shipping cost need to be clearly spelled out. Check the warranty clearly so that you know what is covered should problems occur. Get references of other customers. Make sure they are National Sanitation Foundation and UL approved. The company should specify how the walk-in coolers are manufactured with the types of materials are used in its construction.
http://walk-in-freezers.com
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