If your commercial refrigerator breaks down, it needs to be repaired right away, or you could lose all the money you invested in its contents. Before the meat spoils or the desserts start to melt, call a local emergency commercial refrigeration company to fix the machine. For the residents of the Lexington, KY, area, that company is Dickerson's Commercial Refrigeration & HVAC. They specialize in repairs, installation, and maintenance services for commercial and industrial refrigeration equipment, and best of all, they have 24/7 emergency services. 

But before you call the guys at Dickerson's with your commercial refrigeration emergency, run through this short checklist:

• Outlet Power: Without power, the cooling unit cannot operate. Check the outlet to see if it’s working. If it's dead, use a non-contact voltage detector to locate broken wires and open connections to determine where the problem lies.
• Evaporator Fan: Check whether the evaporator fan is running—it may have iced over. If so, melt the ice. The fan blades should be spinning in the right direction and at the appropriate velocity. Also, make sure the coil is clean and the drain line is clear.
• The Compressor: Figure out whether the compressor is generating any power or if it's totally dead. Signs it's still doing something include: giving off heat, making a strange sound, or emitting amps. If you notice any of these three things, the compressor may be salvageable.
• The Temperature: Finally, check if the fridge is still cooling, even if it’s not doing so at the desired temperature. Inspect the seal on the door. The gaskets should be making it airtight. Also, check the temperature and operating pressure; the temperature control should reflect the actual temperature of the unit. Otherwise, the control needs to be replaced.

Remember: Dickerson's Commercial Refrigeration & HVAC also does regular maintenance in the Lexington area, and that maintenance can help you avoid emergency problems and save money in the long run. But if you do develop a commercial refrigeration emergency, have this information prepared when you call. It will go a long way towards speeding up the repairs and saving you money.

You can reach Dickerson’s Commercial Refrigeration & HVAC by calling (859) 254-1436. You can also visit their website for more information about their other services, which range from ice machine repairs to providing environmental refrigeration services.