NEWS

One of the toughest questions we get asked by business owners is, “Is it worth fixing, or should I just scrap it?”

It is a valid concern. A commercial coolroom is a massive investment, and no one wants to spend thousands on a brand-new setup if the old one still has life in it. However, throwing good money after bad on an aging, inefficient system is arguably worse. So, how do you decide when to pull the plug?

The 50% Rule: A Simple Cost-Benefit Analysis In the refrigeration industry, we often use the “50% Rule” as a guideline. It works like this: take the cost of the repair quote and compare it to the cost of buying a brand-new unit.

If the repair costs more than 50% of the price of a new unit, and your current coolroom is more than 10 years old, you are usually better off upgrading. Why? Because new units are far more energy-efficient. You might spend more upfront, but the savings on your monthly electricity bill in Perth will pay for the upgrade over time.

When to Repair On the flip side, if the unit is relatively new or the issue is isolated, repair is the smart choice. If you have a blown fan motor, a blocked tx valve, or a gas leak, these are standard maintenance issues. Fixing them is significantly cheaper than a full replacement.

For example, replacing a compressor on a 3-year-old system is a no-brainer—fix it. But replacing a compressor on a 15-year-old system with rusty panels and torn seals? That is likely a waste of money.

Get an Honest Assessment You shouldn’t have to guess. At CRACS, we provide honest, transparent assessments for coolroom repairs in Perth and Southern River. We don’t just look at the broken part; we look at the overall health of the system. We will tell you if your coolroom has another 5 years of life in it, or if it’s time to retire it.

Whether you need a quick motor swap or a full system upgrade, we are here to help you make the most profitable decision for your business.

Not sure if you should fix it? Get a free quote on upgrade vs. repair with CRACS today.