American Cooler Blog

ACT April 2013 Newsletter!

Please Research Before Buying!

When it comes to walk-in cooler and freezer manufacturing, it is very important to do your research before making a purchase. Many manufacturers are registered with the required agencies, however, many are not. Please make sure who you’re purchasing from is registered with the Department of Energy for energy compliance. Please also make sure they are certified with NSF for any walk-in cooler or freezer used in the food industry.

What to Look for in an Insulated Floor:

Insulated floors for walk-in cooler and freezers are a very important component and something that should not be overlooked. If your floor isn’t built well, it can cause a whole host of issues in your box that were unexpected by you, the purchaser. It’s very important that your floor is built with quality components that can withstand the weight of your products, as well as the weight of any additional foot/equipment traffic. It’s also important that that you clean your floor frequently to avoid any health hazards, as well as potential slippery spots.

Refrigeration Systems and You:

With winter in full swing for much of the north, and colder temperatures starting to set in southern climates, now is a good time to check up on the overall condition of your refrigeration system. Like anything with moving parts parts, your refrigeration system will benefit from routine maintenance. Be sure to check for any visible signs of damage, leaks, etc and have them repaired as necessary. If the condenser sits outdoors, be sure to check your outdoor controls to make sure they’re functioning properly. Also check the outdoor cover to make sure it’s still in good shape and is protecting your valuable condenser as it should.

With spring not too far off, many people might be looking to upgrade their condenser, if it’s an older model, to something more efficient. Many people often inquire about “remote systems” which are comprised of a coil(s) inside inside the box and the condenser outside of the box. However, ”self contained” units are also very popular. A self contained refrigeration unit contains the condenser and coil in one self contained package that plugs into an outlet. While a self contained unit may cost more money to purchase, you will save a significant amount of money on the installation because they require no linesets and don’t take long to install. Let us at American Cooler Technologies help you choose the perfect walk in cooler or freezer with refrigeration to fit your needs!

 Winter Savings Have Arrived!

If you’re looking to purchase a new walk in cooler or freezer from American Cooler Technologies, your decision just got easier. From not until the end of January, you can instantly save 3% on any walk in cooler or freezer unit. All you need to do is mention the winter savings promotion and you will instantly save 3%! It really is that easy, but you must ask for it. Call today for a free quote or to apply this promotion o a past quote!

Considering Different Finishes?

At American Cooler Technologies, we offer a wide array of finishes on our walk in coolers and freezers. Our standard finish is a 26 gauge stucco embossed galvanized, which is durable while also doing a great job of hiding scratches and dents that might occur over time.

There are many different finishes to choose from outside of the standard galvanized, however. For example, many people prefer to have a stainless finish, or sometimes just a stainless floor or door. All of which are possible at American Cooler Technologies thanks to our ability to do full custom work.

Keep in mind that certain finishes can add a great deal of visibility to your box, especially if it’s a display cooler or freezer. For example, a white interior will reflect a lot more light than a standard galvanized finish, and will really make your products “pop”. A white exterior on an outdoor box will also reflect more light, thus keeping your box cooler, therefore lowering your energy costs.

These are just some of the different finishes that are offered at American Cooler Technologies. All of the finishes that we offer are NSF approved, and meet DOE guidelines. Give us a call today to inquire about anything walk in cooler or freezer related. Our friendly sales staff would be more than happy to assist you on your next project.

Winter Savings Have Arrived!

 If you’re looking to purchase a new walk in cooler or freezer from American Cooler Technologies, your decision just got easier. From now until the end of December, you can instantly save 3% on any walk in cooler or freezer unit. All you need to do is mention the winter savings promotion and you will instantly save 3%! It really is that easy, but you must ask for it. Call today for a free quote or to apply this promotion to a past quote!

ACT November 2012 Newsletter & Winter Savings!

Looking For Faster Lead Times? 

At American Cooler Technologies, we pride ourselves on offering extremely competitive and fast lead times. Being a full custom manufacturer, we have built walk in coolers and freezers in a multitude of sizes and configurations. This experience helps us build your walk in cooler or freezer in a fast manner, yet still maintaining the level of quality you would expect from American Cooler Technologies.

Keep in mind that standard sizes will generally take less time to build than custom configurations. If you’re in the market for a walk in cooler or freezer and are wondering about lead times, please give us a call to discuss your project and to obtain an accurate lead time.

Winter Savings Have Arrived!

If you’re looking to purchase a new walk in cooler or freezer from American Cooler Technologies, your decision just got easier. From now until the end of December, you can instantly save 3% on any walk in cooler or freezer unit. All you need to do is mention the winter savings promotion and you will instantly save 3%! It really is that easy, but you must ask for it. Call today for a free quote or to apply this promotion to a past quote!

ACT October 2012 Newsletter!

Want to Improve Your Lead Time?

One of the most often asked about questions we receive at American Cooler Technologies is regarding lead time. People want to know when they can expect to receive a product once they order it. This is a very good question and one that has a few variables.

First, lead times are dependent on  how full the production schedule is at the time. The more jobs that are already on the schedule, the greater the lead time. The fewer jobs that are on the schedule, the lesser the lead time. However, other factors can play in to your lead time as well.

At American Cooler Technologies, a standard panel is 46″ wide by 8′ tall. Therefore, coolers and freezers that are built using standard panels will be built quicker than units that require custom sizes. American Cooler Technologies is a full custom manufacturer and has no problem building right down to a fraction of an inch for our valued customers, just keep in mind that this can increase your lead time.

We want nothing more than for our customer to be happy with their purchase, and with our production time. If you’re wondering about a potential lead time on a project, please give us a call for up to date information. Our friendly staff will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have!

Do You Need Heat in Your Man Door?

Many often wonder whether or not they need heat in their man door for their walk in cooler or freezer. After all, this is very important to prevent ice buildup, but the answer is actually very simple. If the box will get below freezing, it needs to have built-in heat. If the box is going to be maintained above freezing, than heat is not required.

Therefore, a freezer from American Cooler Technologies will always be built with a heater cable in the door seal. A cooler will not be built with heat in the door seal as it will not be maintaining a temperature below freezing. If you have any questions regarding door heat, or anything else walk in cooler or freezer related, don’t hesitate to give us a call!

ACT September 2012 Newsletter!

Are you Ready for Fall/Winter?

It may seem hard to believe, but another summer has come and gone and fall is right around the corner. Before you know it, Fall will turn into Winter. Is your walk-in cooler or freezer ready?

To make sure that your cooler or freezer is ready for the impending weather, now is a good time to do a thorough inspection. Check your panel seams for any signs of damaged gaskets. Also, be sure to check your door gasket for any signs of damage or wear, and replace as necessary. Make sure to inspect your door hardware such as your latch and strike, hinges, door closer, and palm release to make sure they are all in good working condition.

Next, make sure to have your condenser and coil(s) checked for proper performance. This should be done by a licensed professional. Your condenser and coil contain moving parts, and need to be maintained just like your daily vehicle.

Do You Need an Insulated Floor?

Many often wonder whether or not they need an insulated floor for their walk-in cooler or freezer. The answer to that question can vary greatly. The general rule of thumb is that freezers always need an insulated floor unless it is being placed on an insulated concrete slab.

But, what about coolers? Coolers, as long as they are sitting on concrete, typically do not need an insulated floor. This is because coolers usually maintain a temperature of 35 degrees or above, meaning they aren’t a risk to buckle your concrete.

An insulated floor is needed for a cooler when it’s NOT sitting on concrete. If you place a cooler without an insulated floor on a wooden floor for example, it will have lots of condensation issues, and eventually rot out the wooden floor. In summary, an insulated floor will be needed for a cooler unless it is sitting on concrete.