Maintaining cold storage temperature requires a substantial amount of energy, accounting for 60% or more of total energy costs. However, with a few simple cold storage tips on how to reduce energy costs, you can keep temperature-sensitive products safe while maintaining your bottom line.
How to lower energy bills in industrial cold storage facilities

Maintain proper insulation
Ensure well-functioning door seals and limit unnecessary door openings
Consider investing in minor upgrades for improved energy efficiency
Keep up with essential industrial refrigeration maintenance tasks
Reduce operational costs with smart thermostat use

Reduce Energy Costs in Cold Rooms with Proper Insulation
Cold storage insulation and energy savings go hand in hand. Because insulation is your first line of defense, our cold storage engineers recommend installing sufficient quantities of high-performance insulation materials to maximize long-term savings. Replace it immediately anytime you notice worn, thinning, or damaged areas that allow for heat transfer to minimize heat transfer that can impact efficiency and force your refrigeration system to work harder to maintain temperature.
Ensure Well-Functioning Door Seals and Limit Unnecessary Door Openings
Doors and door seals keep cold air in and warm, humid air out, preventing frost and ice buildup that reduces heat transfer efficiency and increases the cooling workload. To maintain consistent temperatures, reduce energy-intensive defrost cycles, and minimize refrigeration system wear and tear, train staff to be mindful of opening/closing cold room doors quickly and to limit unnecessary entry. Replace door seals immediately if you notice damage, and consider adding automatic door closers or air curtains to reduce leakage.
Don’t Neglect Routine Professional Maintenance
Improperly maintained cold storage refrigeration systems use more energy and are more prone to breakdowns that can result in product loss and food safety. Regularly checking refrigerant levels, verifying proper thermostat operation, cleaning condenser and evaporator coils, inspecting and lubricating compressors, motors, and fans, and ensuring all components are functioning correctly are essential to minimizing energy use. Our professional maintenance services ensure peak performance, lowering system operating, repair, and replacement costs.
Reap Maximum Savings with Minor Cold Storage Upgrades
Earn substantial savings over time with the latest energy-saving strategies for large cold storage operations, including:

Motion-activated LED lighting solutions for cold storage warehouses, which offer a longer lifespan, generate less heat, and consume up to 80% less energy than incandescent lighting
Automation/smart technology that adjusts temperatures on demand to manage changing storage/load requirements
Variable speed fans and high efficiency motors, which offer more than simple on/off operation to deliver precise temperature control and reduce energy waste
Heat recovery equipment for cold rooms to repurpose excess compressor heat for other facility needs, like office and water heating

Program Cold Room Temperature Settings with Energy Savings in Mind
Colder isn’t necessarily better. One of the easiest ways to reduce electricity costs in industrial cold rooms is to avoid overcooling. Setting temperatures according to product requirements prevents unnecessary energy use and safeguards your inventory against cold damage.
Save Energy with Routine Maintenance and Smart Upgrades
Reduce operational expenses, safeguard your inventory, and extend system life with these simple cold storage tips on how to reduce energy costs. Keep your Ellensburg, Kennewick, Moses Lake, Pasco, Richland, Spokane, Tacoma, or Yakima cold storage facility in optimal operating condition with industrial refrigeration maintenance and upgrades from CW Refrigeration. Contact us at 509-248-4600 to learn more today.

Your ammonia refrigeration system provides many advantages over traditional cooling solutions. However, like all industrial refrigeration equipment, routine care is crucial for ensuring energy-efficient, reliable performance and maintaining a safe and compliant facility. How often should you schedule maintenance for your ammonia refrigeration system? Learn best practices for ammonia refrigeration upkeep with these tips from CW Refrigeration.
Ammonia refrigeration safety and maintenance guidelines

Daily/Weekly – perform general operational checks
Monthly/Quarterly – clean, inspect, and test system function
Annually/Semi-Annually – replace or rebuild components per run hours or manufacturer guidelines
Regularly log information according to IIAR, OSHA, EPA, and local safety regulations

Cost of Neglecting Ammonia Refrigeration System Maintenance
Overlooking maintenance needs risks more than inflated energy costs. Poorly maintained systems pose risks to food, employee, and environmental safety. Keeping up with routine and preventive industrial refrigeration system maintenance ensures reliable, energy-efficient operation, fewer costly breakdowns, and a longer system lifespan. It also protects your business against downtime, product loss, regulatory fines, and liability.
Ammonia Refrigeration System Maintenance Checklist
Daily/Weekly Ammonia Refrigeration System Maintenance

Observe for unusual noises or malfunctions
Monitor for frost buildup and damage to door seals and insulation
Confirm temperature settings and climate control operation
Check gauges, including ammonia levels and operating pressures
Inspect condensers for scaling or corrosion, and verify water quality
Ensure evaporators are not frozen, and airflow and drainage flows freely
Verify compressors have adequate oil levels
Confirm proper safety and alarm system function

Monthly Ammonia Refrigeration System Maintenance

Clean ammonia refrigeration system filters
Inspect pipe supports, joints, valves, and fittings for corrosion
Check condenser surfaces for dirt, debris, or scaling
Clean condenser strainers and nozzles
Verify proper condenser fan and pump operation
Clean evaporator coils and check for frost buildup
Exercise hand valves
Lubricate pumps, motors, and other moving parts
Confirm system control device setpoints
Test ammonia leak detection systems

Quarterly Ammonia Refrigeration System Tasks

Check compressor oil for contaminants
Verify condenser condition and operation
Inspect valves, seals, and gaskets for wear
Check evaporator fans, motors, and electrical for issues
Clean evaporator coils if needed
Verify defrost systems are functioning properly
Test system controls, sensors, and automation equipment
Test safety relief valves and emergency shutdown systems
Monitor and log system efficiency metrics

Annual/Semi-Annual Professional Maintenance

Inspect compressors and heat exchangers thoroughly
Check for excess compressor or motor vibration
Change compressor oil and filters
Deep clean condenser tubes/coils and service the water treatment system
Deep clean evaporator coils and verify defrost system operation
Rebuild/replace compressor bearings, valves, and seals as needed
Calibrate pressure, temperature, and ammonia leak detection sensors
Verify proper operation of valves and control automation technology
Repair or replace damaged insulation, vapor barriers, and piping
Perform a complete safety system review
Review/update emergency response and maintenance logs

CW Refrigeration Provides Comprehensive Ammonia Refrigeration System Services
Our certified industrial refrigeration technicians have the expertise to maintain even the most complex ammonia refrigeration systems safely. Whether you need help devising a written inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) program, and training your staff, or want to leave routine and annual care to us, we have you covered. We offer custom maintenance plans tailored to your equipment and facility, providing thorough maintenance inspections, cleaning, full system reviews, and industrial ammonia refrigeration system maintenance and repairs to meet your operational and IIAR, OSHA, EPA, and local regulatory compliance needs.
Keep Your Industrial Refrigeration System Running at Peak Performance
Avoid high energy bills, inflated repair costs, shutdowns, and regulatory fines with these tips on how often you should schedule maintenance for your ammonia refrigeration system from CW Refrigeration. Contact us at 509-248-4600 to schedule a professional ammonia refrigeration system inspection and service in Ellensburg, Kennewick, Moses Lake, Pasco, Richland, Spokane, Tacoma, or Yakima today.