The Perfect Refrigeration System
Is there such a thing as the perfect refrigeration system? The answer is yes. However, it is important to realise that it is only a ‘yes’ for the client that you are designing and installing the system for.
There is no such thing as a one-size-fits all approach. This may seem an obvious statement to make, but it is surprising how some companies can fall into a blinkered approach when it comes to design and equipment selection. There can be a number of reasons for this.
- It’s been successful in the past
- Lack of knowledge about other options / fear of the unknown
- Being tied into supplier agreements
- Being part of an organisation that manufactures equipment, so unable to offer suitable alternatives manufactured by the competition.
These may be classed as good enough reasons to continue with the ‘if it ain’t broke’ approach, but does this give the customer what they need?
There are always external client factors that can have a bearing on being able to offer the perfect refrigeration system.
- CAPEX
- Continuity
- Knowledge
Capital expenditure is normally a driving force when it comes to the installation of new refrigeration systems. Very few companies have a bottomless pit of money to invest in new equipment - so the offering that is made needs to be sensible. However, this shouldn’t be a compromise if the more expensive refrigeration design has proven energy efficiency advantages and lower running costs. The cost of a refrigeration system is never just ‘how much is it to install?’, it should always factor in the operational costs during its lifespan. This may not be an exact science, but an end-user should know how much their electricity costs and the impact a refrigeration system has on the annual site energy bill.
Continuity is something which we all occasionally come across. For example, a customer will have knowledge and experience of certain types of refrigerant. They have never had any problems using said type of refrigerant, so may be reluctant to move to an alternative – even if it is a better option.
Customer knowledge is similar to the above; if they don’t have first-hand experience in what is being presented, or are mis-informed, it can be a challenge to provide the best solution.
There are, and always will be, pitfalls and hurdles to overcome when trying to design the perfect refrigeration system. However, by:
- Listening to the customer’s needs
- Understanding what they want to achieve
- Explaining the options
- Educating about future-proofing their business by combining CAPEX and OPEX
- Overcoming challenges
…..we can get pretty close to offering the perfect refrigeration system every time.
