Latin America. Aldrick Cruz, refrigeration manager of the Air Conditioning Company, shared his considerations about what type of equipment is more convenient to install in the development of a small format, in response to a query that is recurrent in the refrigeration industry.
The manager, to point to an answer, indicates that it is necessary to understand that in the industry the "small format" ranges between 800 and 1,500 square meters and that it is possible to opt for self-contained refrigerators or remote refrigerators, of both, then the opinion of the expert explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
Explanation by Aldrik Cruz
The first way would be to opt for self-contained refrigerators. These equipment provide a versatility that our client may want to count during its useful life. The notable advantages are the elimination of pipe paths and connections within the store, along with the traditional installation cost that these tours entail.
There is also the elimination of refrigeration units and external condensing units. It is no secret to anyone that small formats are developed in urban and suburban areas where commercial premises do not have enough space to locate equipment outside.
Another advantage point of the autonomous team is the flexibility to change its position within the sales area of the supermarket, either to follow a new need of the store in the exhibition of its products or market trends.
Among the disadvantages of self-contained equipment, we have the noise and heat generated by the compressor and condenser. Supermarkets should keep in mind that these components can generate some discomfort to people who visit the store to make their purchases. Regarding the heat of rejection of the condenser, it must be considered in the calculation of thermal load carried out for air conditioning, which results in larger equipment with higher energy consumption throughout the life of the system.
The above scenario only applies if the store has air conditioning, because in the 13 years of performance in the Industry different cases are observed. Finally, there is the maintenance work, because each equipment must be checked, verified and cleaned in its coils.
The second way is the use of remote refrigerators and as the main advantage, they have more product display space, they do not generate more noise and additional heat in the supermarket sales area and the maintenance to be carried out is quite practical. Remote equipment, being using a central refrigeration, the system could be more efficient from the energy point of view.
For the disadvantages, it can be mentioned that they have a longer installation time than the autonomous equipment because you incur in the realization of pipe routes. Also, you must have an area to place the central refrigeration, either interior or exterior.
In the end, supermarkets will have to make a balance of the cost / benefit of the options they have and make a decision of what best suits their operation and vision for the future.
