Over the years, I have been asked to help hook up used equipment. These folks have been new business start ups as well as long term business owners.

They bought their "deals" from used restaurant supply dealers or auctions they came across. They needed help.

Here are some tips on buying and getting connected, your next commercial refrigeration or air conditioning systems. Whether they be for a small corner store or a larger independant super market.

The best deal will be on systems which are self contained. Meaning, they do not have copper refrigerant lines connecting the compressor assembly to a remote location where the cooling evaporator is located. The reason self contained is good is because they do not have to be cut loose. This means labor and expense is saved over when a system is remoted, or: connected together using copper refrigerant lines.

I am not opposed to "remote systems", it is just that unless you have a good reputable service contractor who is experienced with these types of systems, it will end up costing you many hidden expences which you are probably not aware of nor ready for.

Let's say for instance, you locate a clean 600 pound ice maker. Let's also say it is one of the top name brands like Manitowoc, Hoshizaki or Scotsman. Let's also say it comes complete with the storage bin. If you purchase this system based up the cost of the system as it sets, plus what you estimate will be the removal and shipping costs to bring it to your establishment and set it up... you may be in for a surprise.

Depending upon how this machine is connected to or "hooked up" to Power, Water and Drain, it may just consume more of your projected budget than you ever imagined.

This will be especially true if the system has "Remoted Refrigeration" located outside on the ground or up on the roof.

And once you pay your service contractor to remove this system and make it ready for shipping, it will still need to be connected back up at your new location. And this can involve added electrical labor plus materials. And a specific water line will need to be connected also which delivers the correct Volume os water which the machine needs. And the drain line in the floor or to another room will also need to be connected by a specialty contractor.

Sometimes when you find a "deal" on used equipment, the system will be sitting on a pallet in some warehouse, not connected and running. You will have no idea what condition this system is in without knowledge of the system's past history. And many times, equipment is sold "As Is". Buyer Beware!

The best case scenario is when you come upon a piece of equipment which is in normal operation and is producing as it was designed. All systems are functioning correctly. This can be verified by a Licensed Service Contractor in your area.

The worst case would be a system which was shut down AFTER it had failed. For some reason, the previous owner of this system chose NOT to have it repaired. Perhaps it has a history of failures and they were tired of it breaking down.

HVAC/R equipment fails due to lack of maintenance. Another cause is dirt and lack of lubrication. Poor electrical supply is also a cuase of HVAC/R system failures. Moisture in a system is like poison to the human body.

And it is so easy for water, (moisture), to enter a system. Especially when the system has been shut down, cut loose for removing it from a store and is sent to a reseller or auction house.

This is especially true when the equipment is setting outside for any length of time.

Another issue is when you purchase a remote refrigerated case, like a display cooler or display freezer case and the purchase price is for the case all by itself. It does not include the compressor assembly along with it. This creates a problem for many in that they do not have a cluse as to which one to buy. And where do they buy such a machine in the first place?

This is where establishing a good working relationship with a reputable Service Contractor in your own area is vitally important to your business's survival! Someone who is experienced in and specializes in the type of equipment you are requiring for your establishment.

Not all Service Contractors are equal. They are very much like medical professionals in that they tend to specialize in different types of service. Some do A/C on light commercial businesses while others tend to service more Refrigeration systems than they do air conditioning equipment. Contact me if you have any further questons. I hope this helps you.