Common Arctic Air Commercial Freezer Problems

Commercial freezers, like any other appliances, will break down from time to time, which, unfortunately, can be a frustrating experience for commercial business owners. You can, of course, try to diagnose and fix the issue on your own. However, attempting to fix your unit on your own can often lead to further problems, as well as increased expenses if you make a mistake.

So, to help you out next time your Arctic Air freezer breaks down on you, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common issues, and what you can do to resolve them.

What To Do If Your Freezer Is Not Working

If your arctic air commercial freezer is not turning on at all, you may want to check to ensure it is plugged in properly to an active power source.

If it is, you’ll next want to make sure that there is no damage to the power cord or socket. However, make sure to turn the power off at the main breaker before inspecting any electrical components to avoid the risk of electric shock.  Additionally, there is also the possibility that your Arctic Air freezer has caused you to blow a fuse or to trip a breaker.

So, you might try flipping the breaker that the freezer is connected to on and off to see if the problem resolves itself.

Freezer Is Not Cooling

If your freezer is turning on but doesn’t seem to be cooling properly, this may indicate a problem with your condenser or evaporator fan. Do your best to visually inspect the condenser fan to see if anything is obstructing it from turning.  If you are unable to move the condenser fan by hand, you’ll likely need to have it replaced.

You can also perform the same visual inspection with your evaporator fan motor. If either of these two fan motors are unusually loud or produce a burnt odour, you’ll likely need to replace them.

Temperature Controls And Thermostat Problems

If the temperature control thermostat is not functioning properly, it can lead to various problems with your freezer. For instance, this can cause the freezer to run too long or unnecessarily, making the inside colder than necessary, and wasting your electricity at the same time. To test the thermostat for problems, rotate it from the lowest setting and then switch it back to the highest setting and listen to see if the unit kicks on.

If you can hear it click on and start running, then your thermostat is likely not the source of your problem. On the other hand, if you don’t hear the unit click and start running, it might be time to replace the thermostat.

Issues With The Condenser Coils

If your unit’s condenser coils are located in the freezer walls, they won’t require any cleaning since they’re isolated from dirt, dust, and debris.  However, if they are accessible, you should be cleaning them about twice a year. When these coils get dirty, they are not able to dissipate heat as effectively. In turn, this will reduce your unit’s cooling capacity.

So, if you find your unit is taking longer to cool or not cooling as effectively as it had been in the past, you may want to try giving your condenser coils a good cleaning before picking up the phone to call for professional help.

Bad Door Or Lid Gasket

You should be checking to see if your gaskets are in good condition at least once a year. Fortunately, there is an easy method to determine if your gaskets are sealing properly. Close the lid or door to your unit with a piece of paper placed in between the door or lid and the lip of the freezer wall. After closing the lid or door, attempt to pull the piece of paper out. If you can remove the paper easily, your gaskets will not function properly and are not sealing effectively.

If you find that your unit isn’t sealing properly, you can sometimes use petroleum jelly on the gaskets to help them form a better seal. Try applying some to your gasket and then, attempt the paper test again to see if it has fixed the problem.

The Door Is Not Closing

There are many possible reasons why your unit’s door might not be closing properly. If you’ve tested and checked the gaskets, you may want to look for any bent, damaged, or warped areas of the frame that might be preventing the door from fully closing. You can also try tightening or replacing the hinges. And, make sure to arrange items in your freezer in such a way that they won’t block the door from closing properly.

Other Common Arctic Air Issues

To ensure your unit is functioning effectively, you’ll also want to make sure its interior is not too cramped. Packed freezers will cause impeded airflow, which can reduce the cooling capability of your unit. To prevent this, be sure to clean out the ice that has formed, and do your best to avoid packing in so many items that air cannot flow adequately throughout your unit.