Commercial HVAC and Refrigeration Technicians Are Not the Same–And How this Could Save You Lots of Money
Many Orlando restaurants, convenience stores, schools, churches, clubs, bakeries, delis, and bars have all sorts of refrigeration equipment. These Orlando businesses rely on those pieces of commercial air conditioning and refrigeration equipment always working properly. But the primary job of business management is not to maintain commercial equipment like ice machines or coolers. Their job is to serve their customers, often by providing food, liquor, or entertainment. So when their refrigeration equipment stops working what do they do? Well, these days, very often they go to their computer, phone or tablet, and shop Google for a reliable HVAC or refrigeration service technician. Bing is another great place the look. But, unless Marathon Air somehow magically reached the top of those searches, and you called us, you most likely will be shocked when the tech hands you the bill for your commercial air conditioning or refrigeration repair job.
A Faulty Ice Machine Repair Troubleshooting Story
I like to give examples of what I find on my daily run of repairing commercial air conditioning, refrigeration equipment and ice machines in the Orlando area. One day I went to one of my long-time customers. He always calls Marathon Air for his commercial air conditioning, ice machine and refrigeration repairs. This particular customer, like many of my customers, owns several gas/convenience stores. He had recently opened a new location, where he still had the old manager carried over from the old owner. They had inherited two large ice makers, both of which were not producing ice.
What The Other Ice Machine Service Tech Told Them
I asked the manager what the previous ice machine service tech told him was wrong with these ice machines. He said the previous guy said both ice machines needed to be replaced because their evaporator plates were bad. The old service tech said he was barely able to keep them working and they would not last much longer. Well, I worked on the first machine and discovered the evaporator plates to be in nearly perfect condition. Upon closer inspection, I realized the problem was a faulty harvest assist regulator valve. I changed the valve, which is a fairly cheap repair when compared to buying a new ice machine, and the ice came off the evaporator plate like a new machine.
Ice Machine Service, Used Machines with Warranties, and the Dilemma
I have no doubt that the old owner called that tech on a regular basis, which allowed the former refrigeration service company to charge the old owner money to reset the machine and probably add extra freon to increase the coil temperature (which, by the way, damages the compressor) to help with the harvest of ice. The old tech also gave him the option of buying a used ice machine for $1000.00 with a one year warranty. Well, there is a very good chance that the used machine would not have been as good as the ice machine they already had. And I bet the “warranty” from this guy was as worthless as his ability to repair these ice makers (and that assumes that company stays in business long enough and has enough ethics to service the warranty–not always a guarantee in this business). And he easily could have taken the old ice machine and sold that unit to another unsuspecting soul, maybe for another $100o with another year warranty. Sounds great, huh?
Was that Ice Machine Repair Tech Lying or Simply Unskilled?
I have no idea whether the old repairman was incompetent or if he was actually lying to make more money, or both. Either way, the customer had no way of knowing, so continued paying for bad ice machine, refrigeration and commercial air conditioning service. In sharp contrast, at Marathon Air, we are honest, fair, and highly skilled. We know how to repair refrigeration and commercial air conditioning equipment the right way. I encounter far too many customers trying to find and hire the absolute “cheapest” repair people. In the end, what they thought would be cheaper costs them huge amounts in the long run. This type of scenario is also common with big “professional” commercial air conditioning and refrigeration companies all over the Orlando area.
The Solution to Your Ice Machine Repair Problem? Really.
Really the only way to trust that your refrigeration and commercial air conditioning equipment is in good hands is to call Marathon Air. Having the job done correctly and honestly, for a fair price, will save you money on repairing all of your equipment. I do not know what else to say, except that not believing this post would be a mistake.
