For businesses that rely on cool rooms – whether for hospitality, retail, or food storage – icing can become a frustrating and costly issue. Excess ice not only impacts the efficiency of the refrigeration system but also increases running costs, reduces storage space, and creates potential safety hazards.
At its core, icing occurs when warm, humid air enters the cool room and condenses on cold surfaces before freezing. While it’s a common problem, it’s also one that can be prevented with the right measures in place. At All So Cool, we know that small adjustments to how your cool room is used and maintained can make a big difference.
Why Icing Matters
Ice build-up inside a cool room is more than just an inconvenience. It can:
- Restrict airflow across evaporator coils, leading to inefficient cooling.
- Force the refrigeration system to work harder, increasing energy consumption and costs.
- Cause premature wear and tear on components.
- Create slip hazards on the floor and around shelving.
Addressing icing early, and preventing it where possible, protects both your equipment and your staff.
Practical Ways to Prevent Cool Room Icing
1 – Keep the Door Closed as Long as Possible
Every time the cool room door is opened, warm air rushes in, bringing moisture with it. The longer the door remains open, the higher the moisture load, and the greater the chance of ice forming.
Training staff to minimise door opening times is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce icing issues. In high-traffic environments, fitting automatic door closers or self-closing hinges is a worthwhile investment.
2 – Install Door Strip Curtains
Strip curtains are a cost-effective way to reduce icing, particularly in busy kitchens, bars, or retail settings where frequent access is unavoidable. Clear PVC strip curtains act as a physical barrier, limiting the amount of warm, moist air that enters the cool room while still allowing easy movement of people and stock.
Not only do strip curtains help control icing, they also stabilise temperatures inside the cool room, improving overall efficiency and stock protection.
3 – Install a Door Refrigeration Inhibit Switch
A more technical solution is fitting a door refrigeration inhibit switch. This device detects when the door is open and temporarily pauses the refrigeration cycle. By preventing the evaporator coil from running while humid air is entering, it reduces the risk of frost or ice forming on the coil.
Once the door is closed, the refrigeration system resumes normal operation, ensuring cooling performance without the unnecessary ice build-up.
Why Professional Servicing Matters
Even with the right preventative measures in place, regular maintenance is essential to keeping your cool room performing at its best. A qualified refrigeration technician, like those at All So Cool, can inspect coils, door seals, fans, and drainage systems to make sure everything is operating efficiently and identify any issues before they lead to downtime or costly repairs.
By combining smart usage habits, like keeping doors closed, with practical solutions such as strip curtains and refrigeration inhibit switches, you can significantly reduce icing problems in your cool room. With regular professional servicing, you’ll not only extend the life of your equipment but also ensure consistent performance, lower running costs, and safer operations for your team.
If you are experiencing icing issues with your cool room, the team at All So Cool can diagnose the cause and provide reliable solutions to keep your system running efficiently.
All So Cool specialises in the supply, installation, preventative maintenance and repair of refrigeration systems, including cool rooms. Our highly experienced technicians deliver exceptionally high quality workmanship, on time and on budget.
Chat to All So Cool fridge mechanics Brisbane and Gold Coast on (07) 3422 0011 to discuss how we can help keep your business running cool. We are available 24/7.