Calgary winters bring beautiful snow, but the extreme cold creates massive problems for your kitchen equipment. If you run a restaurant or a grocery store, you likely have refrigeration units that sit outside or near drafty loading docks. We know that most people worry about their fridges breaking during a summer heatwave. However, the freezing temperatures in Alberta can be just as dangerous for your outdoor condensers. Our team at Freedom Appliances sees many businesses struggle when the thermometer drops below -20°C.
When it gets really cold outside, your refrigeration system has to work differently to keep your food safe inside. Most outdoor units are designed to reject heat into the air. When that air is already freezing, the pressures inside your machine can drop too low. This causes the system to stop working entirely or, even worse, it can damage the heart of your fridge: the compressor. We want to help you understand these “low ambient” challenges so you can protect your investment all winter long.
Protecting Your Commercial Refrigeration from Calgary’s Freezing Winters
The “refrigeration cycle” relies on specific pressures to move heat from inside your cooler to the outside air. In the summer, the outdoor condenser uses fans to blow warm air away. In a Calgary winter, the air is so cold that the refrigerant inside the coils turns into a liquid too quickly. This causes the “head pressure” to plummet. When the pressure gets too low, the system thinks it is empty or broken, and it shuts down. This leaves your food sitting in a warm fridge even though it is freezing outside.
To fix this, our professional technicians install special parts called “low ambient controls.” These controls tell the outdoor fan to slow down or stop when it gets too cold. This keeps the pressure high enough for the system to keep running. If your unit does not have these controls, it will cycle on and off too much, which wears out the motor. We recommend calling for commercial fridge repair services in Calgary to check if your outdoor units are actually “winterized” for our local climate.
The Danger of Liquid Slugging in the Compressor
One of the scariest things that happens in the winter is called “liquid slugging.” Your compressor is designed to pump gas, not liquid. Because it is so cold in Calgary, the refrigerant can turn back into a liquid before it reaches the compressor. If the compressor tries to squash that liquid, it can break the internal valves or even snap the piston. This usually results in a very expensive repair bill and a lot of lost food.
We prevent this by using “crankcase heaters.” These are small electric heaters that wrap around the compressor to keep the oil and refrigerant warm. If your heater burns out during a cold snap, your compressor might fail the very next time it tries to start. Our team checks these heaters every time we perform a winter tune-up. We want to make sure your machine stays warm enough to start safely, even during a February blizzard.
Managing Snow and Ice Buildup
Snow is another big challenge for Calgary businesses. If your outdoor condenser sits on the ground, drifting snow can block the airflow completely. Your unit needs to “breathe” to work properly. If snow covers the coils, the motor will strain and eventually overheat. We suggest that you or your staff clear a two-foot path around all outdoor refrigeration equipment after every big snowfall.
Ice is even trickier than snow. Sometimes, moisture from the air freezes directly onto the condenser fins. This creates a solid wall of ice that stops all air from moving through the unit. You should never try to hack this ice off with a screwdriver or a hammer, as you will likely puncture the fragile copper pipes. Instead, you should contact us so we can safely melt the ice and find out why it formed in the first place. Often, a small adjustment to the defrost settings can prevent ice from coming back.
Why Your Fridge Might Stop “Cooling” in the Cold
It sounds strange, but your fridge might actually get too warm because the outside air is too cold. This happens most often with “reach-in” units that sit near loading docks or back doors. When the cold Calgary wind hits the thermostat sensors, the fridge thinks it is already cold enough and turns off. Meanwhile, the sun might be hitting the glass front of the fridge, warming up your milk or meat inside.
This “false reading” can lead to food spoilage very quickly. We help businesses by relocating sensors or installing shields to protect the equipment from direct drafts. Our professional technicians know exactly how to balance your system so it ignores the outdoor wind and focuses on the food temperature inside. Keeping your equipment calibrated for the change in seasons is a smart move that saves you money.
The Importance of “Winterizing” Your Equipment
Winterizing is not just for your home sprinkler system; it is vital for your commercial kitchen too. During a winter service call, we do more than just look for leaks. We check the “refrigerant charge” to make sure it is perfect for cold-weather operation. We also inspect the electrical connections, as wires can become brittle and crack in extreme cold.
Our team also looks at your door gaskets. In the winter, the air in Calgary is very dry. This can cause the rubber seals on your walk-in cooler to dry out and shrink. If the seal isn’t perfect, warm air from your kitchen leaks in, causing frost to build up on your evaporator coils inside. We lubricate these seals and replace any that have lost their “squish.” This keeps your energy bills low and prevents your fans from freezing up.
Staying Ahead of the Freeze
We believe that being proactive is the best way to run a business in Alberta. You do not want to find out your outdoor condenser is broken on the coldest day of the year. When the temperature hits -30°C, every repair company in Calgary gets busy. By scheduling your maintenance in the late autumn, you ensure that your equipment is ready for whatever the winter throws at it.
Our professional technicians at Freedom Appliances have the tools and the experience to handle Calgary’s unique weather. We treat your equipment with care because we know how much you rely on it. Whether you have a single prep table or a massive outdoor rack system, we can keep it running smoothly all through the winter months. Let us handle the technical side so you can focus on staying warm and serving your customers.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my outdoor fridge stop working when it gets really cold?
Most fridges need a certain amount of “pressure” to work. When it is very cold outside, that pressure drops too low, and the safety switch turns the machine off. Installing a “low ambient kit” helps the machine stay running even in a Calgary winter.
Can I put a tarp over my outdoor condenser to protect it from snow?
No, you should never cover your unit while it is running. The condenser needs to move air to work. If you block it with a tarp, the motor will burn out very quickly. Instead, just keep the area around it clear of snow drifts.
Is it okay to use a heater near my outdoor fridge?
You should not place space heaters near your commercial equipment. This can confuse the sensors and create a fire hazard. If your unit is struggling with the cold, it is better to have a professional install a dedicated crankcase heater inside the machine.
What is the best temperature for my walk-in during the winter?
Your walk-in cooler should stay at 4°C or colder, regardless of the season. Even if it is -20°C outside, the inside of your fridge must stay consistent to meet Alberta Health Services rules.
How do I know if my condenser fan is frozen?
If you hear a loud humming sound but don’t feel any air moving near the outdoor unit, the fan might be stuck in ice. Turn the power off immediately and call for service to prevent the motor from burning out.
Should I change my defrost settings in the winter?
Yes, sometimes we need to increase the number of defrost cycles in the winter to handle the extra moisture and frost buildup. Our team can help you find the perfect balance for your specific location.
