by Amir AshrafCoolroom Not Cooling? 8 Common Causes and What to Do (Perth Guide)
A coolroom not cooling is one of the most stressful problems a food business can face. Within a few hours, chilled stock can move into the temperature danger zone, and in a Perth summer that can happen even faster. The good news is that most coolroom faults have a handful of common causes, and some of them you can check yourself before a technician arrives.
This guide covers the eight most common reasons a coolroom stops cooling, what you can safely check, and when it is time to call for professional cold room repairs in Perth.
First: protect your stock
Before you start troubleshooting, keep the coolroom door closed as much as possible. A closed coolroom holds its temperature far longer than one that is opened every few minutes. Check the temperature with a probe thermometer, write it down with the time, and move high-risk items such as dairy, seafood and cooked meats to another fridge if the temperature is rising quickly.
8 common reasons your coolroom is not cooling
1. The door is not sealing
Worn, torn or loose door seals let warm air leak in all day. You may notice ice forming around the door frame or condensation on the outside of the panels. A quick test is to close the door on a sheet of paper. If it slides out easily, the seal needs attention.
2. The door is left open or strip curtains are missing
Busy service periods mean constant door openings. Missing or damaged strip curtains make this much worse, especially in hot kitchens. Even a fully working system can struggle to recover if the door is propped open during deliveries.
3. A dirty or blocked condenser
The condenser unit, usually outside or on the roof, releases heat from the coolroom. If it is clogged with dust, leaves or kitchen grease, it cannot get rid of heat, and the system loses cooling power. This is one of the most common causes of a coolroom not cooling during Perth heatwaves.
4. Iced-up evaporator coil
If the evaporator inside the coolroom is covered in a block of ice, air cannot pass through it. This often points to a defrost problem, a failed evaporator fan, a door left open, or low refrigerant. Do not try to chip the ice off, as this can puncture the coil.
5. Failed fan motors
Both the evaporator fans inside and the condenser fan outside need to run for the system to work. If you cannot hear or feel the fans, or they are running slowly, a motor may have failed.
6. Thermostat or controller faults
A faulty thermostat, sensor or controller can stop the system from calling for cooling, or make it cut out too early. Check that the set point has not been changed by accident before assuming a fault.
7. Refrigerant leak
Low refrigerant reduces cooling capacity and can cause icing and long run times. Refrigerant leaks must be found and repaired by a licensed technician. In Australia, refrigerant handling is regulated under the ARCtick licensing scheme, so never let an unlicensed person top up or vent refrigerant.
8. Compressor problems
The compressor is the heart of the system. Clicking, humming without starting, tripping the circuit breaker or running constantly without cooling can all point to a compressor or electrical fault. These need a technician quickly, as continued running can cause further damage.
What you can safely check yourself
- Confirm the coolroom has power and no circuit breaker has tripped.
- Check the thermostat set point has not been changed.
- Make sure the door closes fully and the seals are intact.
- Look for obvious ice build-up on the evaporator.
- Check that nothing is blocking airflow around the condenser outside.
Anything beyond these checks, especially electrical work or anything involving refrigerant, should be left to a qualified refrigeration technician.
When to call a technician
Call for help straight away if the temperature keeps rising, the compressor is making unusual noises, there is heavy icing, or the system trips the power. The sooner a fault is found, the more likely it is a smaller, cheaper repair rather than a major one.
If your coolroom is not cooling, CR&ACS offers 24/7 callouts across the Perth metro area, from Joondalup to Rockingham. We also repair walk-in freezers and all types of commercial refrigeration, and you only pay once the job is done. Call 0423 953 241.
How to prevent coolroom breakdowns
Regular servicing is the best way to avoid a coolroom not cooling in the middle of summer. A service typically includes cleaning the condenser, checking door seals and heaters, testing fans and controllers, and checking refrigerant pressures. If you are weighing up an older system, our guide on whether to repair or replace your coolroom can help.
