What Happens When the Walk-in Freezer Fan’s Not Running?

06-Aug-2023

Among all of the repairs made to walk-in refrigerators and freezers, one of the most common is that of replacing a dead fan. Even if everything else in a refrigeration unit is working properly, cold temperatures cannot be maintained if the interior fan is not working. But why? What happens when the walk-in freezer fans not running?

In the following article, we’re going to take a look at what happens when the fan in your walk-in freezer stops working, and how to remedy a broken walk-in freezer fan while trying to run your business. Let’s take a look!

Understanding a walk in freezer fan

When it comes to keeping a cold room or a freezer chilled, the interior fan (in a single-stage vapour compression cycle) is the most important component used to keep the room or fridge cool. Put simply, it’s the circulating air created by the fan that makes it possible to transfer interior heat to circulating refrigerant. Allow us to explain:

Vapour compression

The vapour compression cycle begins with a refrigerant entering a compressor as a vapour. The compressor does just what its name implies: it compresses the gas as it passes through, discharging a superheated vapour that is then sent on to a condenser unit. That unit condenses the vapour in order to release most of the stored heat. From there, the condensed refrigerant travels to an expansion valve as part vapour and part liquid.

Reaching the expansion valve exposes the refrigerant to a significant drop in pressure, instigating a process known as flash refrigeration. This results in the refrigerant becoming liquid as it enters the interior space of the freezer or refrigerator. Because heat naturally travels to cold spaces, the cycle need only return the refrigerant at a temperature slightly below the refrigerated space in order to absorb heat. The key to this absorption is the interior fan.

Evaporator coils

The fan inside your walk-in freezer blows warmer air onto the evaporator coils, allowing heat to be absorbed by the refrigerant running through them. The refrigerant is then returned to the compressor to complete the cycle. It all works on the principle of using non-compressed refrigerant to absorb interior heat, compressing that refrigerant, then quickly expanding it in an exterior space in order to release the absorbed heat.

What are the risks when a walk-in freezer fan breaks?

When the fan of a walk-in freezer breaks down, the risks can be substantial, both in terms of safety and potential financial losses:

Spoiled food and perishables

Firstly, there's the risk of spoilage. Items stored in warmer zones can begin to thaw, potentially rendering them unsafe for consumption. This not only compromises the quality of the products but also poses health risks to consumers. Consuming partially thawed and refrozen food can lead to foodborne illnesses due to the growth of harmful bacteria during the thawing period.

Financial losses

Financially, businesses can also face significant losses if large quantities of stock become unsellable. For restaurants, supermarkets, or any establishment dealing with perishable goods, this can represent a substantial blow, leading to potential revenue loss and reputational damage.

Damage

Additionally, the absence of proper air circulation can lead to ice buildup on the freezer's evaporator coils. This can further strain the cooling system, causing inefficiencies and even potential damage to other components. Over time, if not addressed promptly, this can result in more extensive repairs and higher operational costs.

Costly repairs

Lastly, a malfunctioning fan may signal other underlying issues within the freezer system. Ignoring this seemingly minor issue might escalate into more severe problems down the line, making proactive maintenance crucial. Ensuring timely repairs or replacements minimises downtime, reduces the risk of spoilage, and upholds the safety standards of stored products.

Walk-in Freezer Service London

We hope we haven’t confused you too much in explaining the ins-and-outs of freezer trailer fans! If so, and you’re still looking for freezer trailer hire London, know that Icecool Trailers provides walk-in freezer rental in the Greater London area and throughout most of England and South Wales. Our walk-in freezers can be used to meet short-term needs or long-term expansion objectives.

The beauty of walk-in freezer rental from Icecool Trailers is the fact that we don’t need an overhead door or loading dock to make delivery. We carry our units right through the front door as a series of easily manageable panels, and the unit is then assembled on site and connected to your existing power supply.

Icecool Trailers has been providing both trailers and walk-in rooms to clients for more than 20 years. All of our freezer and refrigerator units come with full shelving, lighting and lockable doors, as well as our 24-hour call-out service for maintenance and repairs. Should your interior fan ever die, you need only call our office for immediate service.

Every component in your walk-in freezer is important. However, something as simple as a dead fan could ruin everything. If you need temporary cold storage for any emergency, including a dead fan, call Icecool Trailers. We will provide the cold storage you need until the fan unit is replaced.