Ice Machine Installation
Installation of an ice machine is more complex than one would first think. Below is a description of the things that need to be taken into consideration when installing an ice machine to help you see why you should have JefCo Air Conditioning & Refrigeration’s trained and experienced technicians install your ice machine.
Before you get into your commercial ice machine installation, you must first make sure the space you have can accommodate it. Every ice machine has a range of ambient temperatures it can tolerate, which, depending on the manufacturer and model, may include temperatures as low as 35 degrees and as high as 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure that the ambient air in the location where you’ll install the machine doesn’t fall outside of that temperature range. The ice maker should not be installed near ovens, ranges, grills, or other heat-emitting equipment.
Most ice machines must be installed with a certain amount – typically between 5 to 14 inches – of clearance on each side, though some are engineered for installation flush with walls or other equipment. If a clearance requirement is specified, it’s critical that it’s provided to allow for the air circulation that lets the condensing unit operate properly and create ice efficiently.
To make retrieving the ice easy, keep foot traffic in mind when deciding where to put your commercial ice machine. It should be easily accessible, but not in an area that is so busy that servers pausing to get ice will cause a backup in foot traffic. Because an ice machine requires ongoing maintenance, try to install it in a location that allows easy access to things that will need regular cleaning or changing, like condenser coils and air filters.
Utility Connections
Every commercial ice maker installation involves connecting the unit to three things: water, electricity, and a drain. Make sure you can accommodate these requirements in your location.
Water Connections
Most ice machine spec sheets include measurements for the incoming water line, but don’t expend too much energy trying to find one that matches what you have; plumbing fittings are easy to come by, and if you’re having the machine professionally installed, any plumber should have the right ones on the truck.
The most important considerations for water connections are ensuring a supply line is available within 6 feet of where you want to place the unit and that a dedicated shut-off valve is located near the ice machine. A dedicated shut-off valve is vital if an overflow ever happens and can make servicing the unit much simpler. Ideally, the water line will be positioned where it will be easy to install and change a water filter system. Depending on your incoming water pressure and the tolerance of your ice machine, you may also need a water pressure regulator. Check your model’s installation guide for the maximum gallons per minute (GPM) it can handle.
Drain
Every commercial ice machine will require a drain in order to empty purged and melt water. The easiest way to do this is with a floor drain, but if that is not an option for your location, you will need a drain pump. Some commercial ice machines can be ordered with built-in drain pumps. Others can be equipped with sold-separately pumps. If you choose to purchase an external drain pump, speak with the ice machine’s manufacturer to determine the purge water volume the pump will need to handle so you can avoid overflows that lead to hazardous puddles on the floor. Local codes may also specify what type of drain you need, so be sure to consult those. Hiring a licensed plumber can help ensure your ice machine will meet all local codes and regulations.
Electricity
Before you purchase an ice machine, you should confirm that its voltage and fuse size requirements match the resources available in your building. If your equipment includes a cord and plug set, ensure there is a suitable receptacle within reach of the cord. Many models need to be hardwired by a licensed electrician. Incorrectly connecting the ice machine to electricity can lead to severe damage or injuries and void your warranty.
Remote Condensers
Because remote condensers are large, heavy components that are often installed on roofs and must comply with applicable codes and regulations, professional installation is generally required. When considering potential installation locations, choose an area that’s easy to access in order to make maintenance and service calls easier. To make sure you have what will be needed for your remote condenser to be installed, measure how far the lines will have to travel between the condenser and the ice maker. In most cases, remote condensers will come with pre-charged lines. Any additional refrigerant must be added by an EPA-certified technician.
After a licensed technician has installed your remote condenser, there are a few things you can do to verify it’s installed properly. The unit should be level and have adequate clearance on each side as specified in the user manual. The power supply should match the rating on the unit, and the unit should also be grounded. The fan blade should turn freely, and the refrigerant lines should not touch other lines or surfaces.
Water-cooled Compressors
Water-cooled compressors have some extra installation needs in addition to those of the more common air-cooled compressor. A water-cooled compressor uses water instead of a fan to cool the refrigerant as it exits the evaporator, leading to lowered energy costs. However, those savings can be quickly offset by the incredibly high water costs, as water must constantly be circulating through the system. Because of this, water-cooled compressors are not recommended for use unless they are on a closed-loop water system, and are even banned in some locations due to their high water usage. A closed-loop water system is just what it sounds like – a system that reuses the water that circulates through certain equipment instead of dumping and replacing it. Installing a closed-loop water system is cost-prohibitive for many businesses, but if there is already one in place in your building, a water-cooled compressor may be a good choice for you.
Water-cooled ice makers will require two water lines, and if you are installing it without a closed-loop water system, the more significant water flow must be taken into account when planning the drain size. When installing this kind of compressor, it is essential to make sure the water lines are connected to the proper inlets, so you don’t end up cooling your unit with filtered water and emptying your closed-loop water system into your ice bin.
Placement
When preparing to place the ice maker where it will be installed, first make sure to remove any protective film that may have been included and screw on the legs if your setup requires them. If the ice maker is a modular unit, level the dispenser or bin before using mounting brackets or a bin adapter kit to mount the head to the dispenser or storage bin. Each manufacturer will include specific instructions on how to attach these parts properly and without damaging internal components. If your ice machine is a self-contained unit, making sure the bin is level is still an important step; an uneven machine can lead to leaks and decreased production.
PreStartup
Before proceeding with startup, use the following checklist to ensure installation has been completed correctly.
Make sure all screws and fasteners are firmly in place. Check the bin or dispenser to make sure none of the hardware has fallen in, as these can pose a dangerous choking hazard.
Check once more that the ice maker is level.
Measure the clearance on each side to be sure it meets the standards set by the manufacturer. Additionally, ensure any gaps required for neighboring equipment is provided.
Make sure all packing materials – including cardboard, Styrofoam, tape, and plastic film – have been removed.
Check refrigerant lines to be sure they do not touch each other or other surfaces.
Turn the fan blade to be sure it moves freely.
Startup
Each ice machine has a very specific startup sequence, so instead of giving you a general overview here, we will instead suggest you consult your installation guide or user’s manual and follow those instructions carefully. Before you start up your unit, however, we strongly recommend filling out any warranty documents that may have come with your equipment and sending it back to the factory, as this is a step that is easy to forget once the unit is up and running. This is also a good time to make sure the name and contact information of a local authorized service agent is easily accessible to any who may need it.
We service a variety of ice makers, refrigeration, air conditioning, heating equipment, including furnaces, heat pumps, and heaters. Our installation technicians are licensed, bonded, and insured technicians receive ongoing education and training to ensure that they are up-to-date on the latest makes and models, as well as the most advanced HVAC technology and techniques. We even offer a number of regular maintenance plans to ensure that your systems operate at optimal levels year-round.
Why Choose JefCo Air Conditioning & Refrigeration?
JefCo AC is built on promises made and promises kept to each and every customer. Our customer satisfaction ratings are high across all rating platforms. We maintain a 98% or higher customer satisfaction rating and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing education and quality. We strive to make every customer feel like a member of our extended family, answering your questions, addressing your concerns, and providing expert advice, check our testimonials and see for yourself.
Call today at (850) 654-4822 or use our online form to contact us and schedule AC service, repair or installation in Southern Walton County, Southern Okaloosa County and surrounding areas.
Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Destin, FL
Miramar Beach, FL
Niceville, FL
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Freeport, FL
Inlet Beach, FL
Ice Machine Service & Repair
At JefCo Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, we are professional installation, service and repair technicians and ice machine repair is one of our specialties here in Santa Rosa Beach, Southern Walton County and Southern Okaloosa County areas.
Ice Machine Repair Santa Rosa Beach, Southern Walton County and Southern Okaloosa County areas
It’s interesting to note that most of our clients care deeply about their commercial ice machine. Santa Rosa and surrounding areas are known for warm weather and beautiful scenery and because of the heat; ice plays a big role in beverages. When most people think of coffee or tea, they think of ice coffee or ice tea. Ice is so important for business operations that you may lose customers because of a lack of ice. Buying ice can be expensive, so it’s worth it to buy a reliable ice machine for your business. In a perfect world, it would be ideal to set up your commercial ice machine and get a good fifteen years of reliable use before it needs any type of service. It would be nice but it’s highly unlikely.
Having regular maintenance work done can prevent your commercial ice machine from experiencing an appliance breakdown. Service calls are very important to keep your appliance working as efficiently as possible. Much like a doctor’s checkup, an appliance requires ongoing checkups to ensure the effectiveness of its systems and functions. Having our team of experts come to your location and run a diagnostics to ensure that your ice machine is clean will prevent further damage in the future.
It really doesn’t matter what type of commercial ice machine you have. What matters are the parts and its functions! The more features your ice machine has, the more maintenance it will require. Features are unique and can be costly at times. One feature can disrupt the entire machine from operating correctly. Like we say over and over again, proper care and maintenance will help extend the life span of your appliance. Great care will reduce the number of appliance repair you’ll need to have.
Why Choose JefCo Air Conditioning & Refrigeration?
JefCo AC is built on promises made and promises kept to each and every customer. Our customer satisfaction ratings are high across all rating platforms. We maintain a 98% or higher customer satisfaction rating and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing education and quality. We strive to make every customer feel like a member of our extended family, answering your questions, addressing your concerns, and providing expert advice, check our testimonials and see for yourself.
Call today at (850) 654-4822 or use our online form to contact us and schedule AC service, repair or installation in Southern Walton County, Southern Okaloosa County and surrounding areas.
Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Destin, FL
Miramar Beach, FL
Niceville, FL
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Freeport, FL
Inlet Beach, FL
To ensure your commercial ice machine, or any type of ice maker or refrigeration equipment is running smoothly, you need to ensure it is serviced with proper regular maintenance by trained, service technicians.
JefCo Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Planned Maintenance is your best choice.
Benefits of Ice Machine Planned Maintenance Services:
• Ensures accurate temperature exchange
• Decreases run times
• Improves unit efficiency and energy savings
• Eliminates the presence of mold or bacteria in the unit
• Improves ice quality
• Ice cubes last longer
• Ice volume size is greater requiring fewer cubes to fill a glass
• Prevents unit failure resulting from scale or mineral build-up
• Helps ensure positive health inspection ratings
Examples of Planned Maintenance Checks for an Ice Maker:
• Electrical checks: loose or cracked wires. Inspect for signs of arcing; amp and voltage calibration•
• Evaporator checks: clean and sanitize, rinse components, flush with fresh water after the cycle is complete
• Condenser checks: proper operation, free of debris and clean as needed
• Hoses, tubing, and bin checks: inspect for mold, remove and sanitize
• Water filter check: replace if needed
Commonly reported problems with ice machines are low ice production. Before calling for a service technician, there are a few troubleshooting basics you can perform.
Does Your Ice Maker have any of these symptoms?:
• Dirty Ice?
• Slow or Low Ice Production?
• Is water flow or pressure into the machine low?
• Is the temperature of incoming water above 50 degrees?
• Is the water filter dated within the last year?
• Is there adequate space between the unit and surrounding equipment for air flow?
We understand that low or no ice production can feel like an emergency. When your ice maker or other refrigeration equipment is not functioning correctly, we know you need solutions fast; we are here to help.
Why Choose JefCo Air Conditioning & Refrigeration?
JefCo AC is built on promises made and promises kept to each and every customer. Our customer satisfaction ratings are high across all rating platforms. We maintain a 98% or higher customer satisfaction rating and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing education and quality. We strive to make every customer feel like a member of our extended family, answering your questions, addressing your concerns, and providing expert advice, check our testimonials and see for yourself. When you need commercial ice machine services in Southern Okaloosa and Walton Counties you can count on JefCo Air Conditioning & Refrigeration,Inc.
Call today at (850) 654-4822 or use our online form to contact us and schedule ice machine service, repair or installation in Southern Walton County, Southern Okaloosa County and surrounding areas.
Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Destin, FL
Miramar Beach, FL
Niceville, FL
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Freeport, FL
Inlet Beach, FL
