BUYER’S GUIDE: COOLER OR FREEZER.     We want our clients to make an educated decision when purchasing any products. The buyer’s guide outlines the important things for you to be an educated consumer. Good luck shopping.                       ABSOLUTE INSULATION.    If the walls, ceiling and floor of a Walk-in Cooler were made out of an absolute Insulation, the materials kept in the box once cooled down to 00F would be 00F for ever.  But an absolute Insulation is essentially nonexistent; there fore we have to use the material with the highest R value to achieve the best insulation from the incoming heat to slow down the warming up process, which means a smaller Refrigeration system could be used and would deliver a lower Electric bill every month down the road.                            YOUR PRIORITIES.   Most of the walk-ins mass produced today are made of foamed plastic Insulating material sandwiched between two sheet metal and come equipped with cam-locking device to allow the assembly of the panelized walk-in box Quick and easy even for the beginners. Fewer companies are still out there to provide a completely assembled Box that is delivered on a truck and dropped off at your location. These are usually for outdoor installation since average door opening of Restaurants and Businesses are only 3 foot wide, it is evident the walk-in box cannot pass through.      When considering the purchase of a walk-in you must consider what is important to you. Remember, the lower priced walk-ins have a lower up-front cost but when considering the higher energy expenses they may cost more over the lifetime of the unit. If overall cost of the walk in over the life of the unit is important then a little higher up-front cost but lower energy use and maintenance cost over the life of the unit may be the best way to go. Either way you go, quality workmanship and quality materials are a must when buying a walk-in or Reach-in.       Mr. Tom purchased a 8x8 walk-in Cooler for $4250.00 from Amtecs in New York in 2005. His electric bill in January 2009 shot up to $154/ per month from $125/month when Installed in June 2005, which is a 24% Swing equal to $4080.00 extra spending over the next 10 years. Mr. Patel purchased a 8x8 walk-in Cooler for $3200.00 from ABC in China in 2005. His electric bill in January 2009 shot up to $271/ per month from $125/month when Installed in September 2005, which is a 116% Swing equal to $17,520.00 extra spending over the next 10 years.     This is a real story of an all American make cooler V/S 25% lower priced sub-standard product. However Mr. Patel was convinced and soon replaced the cooler with an Amtecs Brand cooler.          We at Amtecs believe that every individual client has his/her own needs, so we encourage our clients to make an informed decision based on the compatibility of the system with their needs.

INSULATION MATERIALS    Three types of insulation materials are widely used in the Cold-storage industry today. Polyurethane (PU), Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and Extruded Polystyrene (XPS). All are Plastics/ Polymers foamed and filled with a gas in their tiny cells, with various R value (a unit of measurement for Insulation widely used in the Industry) different characteristics suitable to different applications and customers.      1. Polyurethane (PU) - Polyurethane is among many other things used as packaging foam and in the construction of walk-through outside residential and commercial doors. (The sprayed Polyurethane cannot be used for Cold storage construction)  A 4 inch thick Poured in place high quality closed cell Polyurethane has a high initial R value of 32 (@ 20°F) and the 90 day aged R-value is 24 but is less capable of moisture resistance and R-value retention. It can lose as much as 75% of its R-value to as low as (R-6) over the life of the product.  It is formed with a Fluorine gas compound and it is lighter than air and expands when heated, it breaks the tiny cell walls and escape in to the atmosphere replacing air. As the gas escapes the R value goes down proportional to the quantity of open cells. This is called “Thermal Drift”. The thermal drift could tip over if moisture migrates into these open Cells. That is why some older walk-ins consume 4 times energy and some worse cases, even need additional Refrigeration system to bring down the temperature.  This phenomenon is evidenced in the growing electric bills month after month.    2. Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) - This is the same type of material used in Styrofoam Coffee cups. It has been used as a reliable insulation material that has a lower up front cost but also has a lower initial 90 day aged R-value (The higher the R-value the more resistance to heat flow thus less energy used) than the other two insulating foams. Its R-value is 4.75 per inch or R-19 for a four-inch panel. It has a moderate resistance to moisture penetration, which lowers the insulation R-value and has moderate ability to keep its R-value throughout the years. It has been very successfully used in the manufacturer of quality walk in coolers and in Freezers in higher densities and thicknesses.  That is why the local fabricators have to use 6 inch thick walls.     3. Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) - This insulation has been used in insulating underground concrete foundations and floors for many years. It has a high initial R value of 32.4 @ 20° F and R-29 @40°F but the aged R-value is 24 and has a great moisture resistance and ability to retain around 75% of its R-value at R-24 over the life of the product. It has up to 4 times the strength of polyurethane and expanded polystyrene. It is better than expanded polystyrene (EPS) and polyurethane (PU) insulation if overall performance is considered. It is an insulation that will continue to pay dividends in energy savings for as long as you own the walk-in. The material Extruded Poly Styrene (XPS) is expensive. The thermal drift in this material is less than 25% so this is considered to be the ultimate Choice of the Walk-in Industry today.    Hybrid Cooler Panels- When you see the term "Hybrid Cooler" the first thing come to your mind is that you would be saving energy dollars even if priced Higher. It is true about price (made out of 3" of XPS and 1" (coffee cup Insulation) Polystyrene (Watered-down). Hybrid Cooler panels (R25.75) cannot save any energy Dollars than 4"XPS insulated Coolers which have a higher R-value of 29. Still Hybrid cooler panels are priced Higher.  Now Guess who gains, the Consumer???  No  for Sure.

METAL LAMINATION: The Walk-ins and Display cases come with a verity of Finishes / Casing depending on what the customer desires. Each of these provides different benefits to the customer.      1. Aluminum - Aluminum is more sensitive to price fluctuations. It is very resistant to corrosion except for salt spray and can dent very easily. It is usually provided in 40 mill for cheaper models, 60 mill for std. panel thickness for walls and ceilings and 100-120 mill thickness for floors. Sometimes aluminum floors are 1/8TH inch thick and diamond tread-plate embossed to Increase strength. Mostly Aluminum for walls and ceilings are stucco embossed to increase their structural strength.       2. G 90 - Galvanized 90 is probably the most popular Finish/ outer skin used in walk-in coolers and freezers. The G90 depicts the type of galvanizing with G60 having less resistance to corrosion than G90. G90 is the required minimum std. to produce a walk-in cooler or freezer. Its is reasonably priced, stronger and more dent resistant. Its disadvantage is that it can develop what is called white rust, if miss handled while installation at site or processing in make-shift factories / fabricated with hand tools at site and use of caustic cleaners could also harm them. Once white rust has formed it could turn into rust if not treated. G90 can be stucco embossed to make it stronger and to give it a better look. G90 is usually provided in 26-gauge minimum thickness for walls and ceilings and a 16-20 gauge thickness for floors. Note that G90 galvanized floors are not approved for manufacture by the National Sanitation Foundation for food service applications. Galvanized floors however can be used if quarry tile is installed over the floor before use.     3. Galvalume - This is a steel sheet coated with a special mixture of aluminum and other galvanizing material to make the sheet metal corrosion resistant. It could be fifteen times more corrosion resistant than standard galvanized Sheet metal and is usually provided in a 26-gauge std. thickness. It has an aluminum look that is usually embossed to make it stronger and attractive. However, it is about the same price of both Aluminum and G90. If you want to keep the up front cost low, this may be a better choice for you. 4. Painted G90 - Painted galvanized is more expensive than Galvalume but is more resistant to corrosion and comes in variety of colors. NSF may not approve the enamel/ spray paint system if used for the walk-ins. Beware, most imported cheap painted panels are non-NSF. Powder coating with all sorts of colours are approved but comes with a price tag.    5. Stainless Steel - Stainless steel is the most expensive of all metal Skins/ Finishes, normally used in walk-in construction. It is the strongest and least corrosive of all the metals Finishes and usually 20 to 24 SWG thickness and brushed and polished Finish. Most walk-in and Reach-in coolers come with the brushed look to reduce the visibility of scratches and minor dents.

REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS:    Refrigeration systems consist of a condensing unit and an evaporator unit. The condensing unit is located outside the walk-in and the evaporator is mostly located inside the walk-in Box. These systems can be purchased with lower up front cost but higher operating cost i.e. lesser energy efficient systems or higher up front cost but lower operating cost. This decision is up to you and what system is most compatible with your needs. All of these systems come in different shapes and sizes, below you'll find the common pros and cons of different type of systems. Most of them require a licensed refrigeration Technician to Install.        5. Saddle Mount Refrigeration System - Saddle Mount Refrigeration Systems come completely pre-assembled on a bracket that is designed to be mounted over the top of one of the wall panels. These systems must be installed on a panel with slots cut in the top to allow the bracket to go through the wall. They are hung over the wall before the installation of the Ceiling and the negative side is the Evaporator coil hangs from the top of the panel into the box but is more toward the top and does not interfere with the shelving as in the case of a Standard mass produced side-mount unit. This is not a mass produced one but made to order and require a condensate line to be install. 1. Remote Systems - Remote systems are the least expensive systems to purchase. They consist of a condensing unit, evaporator unit and misc. parts such as expansion valve, site glass, dryer, pump down solenoid, thermostat and on freezers a defrost timer, associated heating system whether electric heater coil or reversing refrigeration cycle to turn evaporator into hot condenser coil and drain heater to install the system. They require the use of licensed refrigeration Technicians to install since they have to be Vacuumed and charged with refrigerant on location. The installer will also charge for any other parts needed for the installation such as copper pipe, pipe insulation, connectors and electrical wires and parts. They are less expensive systems to buy with the walk-in but may cost more over all depending on what the going hourly rate is with the installer and the cost of the parts he provides. They also provide an advantage by allowing the condensing unit to be located outside the building. There the condensing unit can dump its heat without adding extra heat to the building and air conditioning systems but require a condensate line to be install.    2. Pre-assembled Remote - Pre-assembled Remote Systems are the same as Remote Systems except all the parts are shipped mounted on either the condensing unit or the evaporator coil. Pre-assembled Remote Pre-charged systems come with the condensing unit, the evaporator unit and an additional line set (copper pipes that connect the two units) charged with refrigerant. These systems can be installed much faster than regular remote units and so most Techs love to use it. Amtecs brand always come with pre-assembled remote units from Bohn if remote units are purchased. The model numbers starts with letters “MO” means Manufactures Original units from Bohn.   3. Standard Top Mount - Top Mount Systems are self-contained refrigeration systems. They come with all parts, copper lines and refrigeration gases completely installed. The only downside to these units is that the evaporator hangs down inside the walk-in taking up shelf space and head room in small walk-ins. Some units come with low profile coils that are bit more spacious. These units require a condensate drain line to be installed as they do not have built in vaporizer.   4. Side Mount Refrigeration System – The Side Mount Refrigeration Systems are the same as Top Mount pro3 Refrigeration Systems except they are installed on one of the wall  and does not need to install drain line because they have built-in condensate vaporizers just like the pro3 top mount units, but some local fabricated units may require  a condensate drain line to be Installed.     5. Saddle Mount Refrigeration System - Saddle Mount Refrigeration Systems come completely pre-assembled on a bracket that is designed to be mounted over the top of one of the wall panels. These systems must be installed on a panel with slots cut in the top to allow the bracket to go through the wall. These systems are hung over the wall before the installation of the roof These units also have the evaporator coil that hangs from the top of the panel but it is more toward the top and does not interfere with the shelving as much as a side-mount unit. This is not mass produced but made to order and require a condensate line to be Installed.   6. Roll-up Refrigeration System- Roll up Refrigeration Systems are also locally fabricated Refrigeration Systems come with wheels to be rolled up to an opening in the side of the walk-in and attached to the box. The evaporator coil is located outside the unit it takes up shelf space inside the walk-in. A licensed refrigeration technician will not be required to install this refrigeration system. This is also custom fabricated and hence need lead-time.     7. Penthouse Refrigeration System- Penthouse (is a Trade mark of Bohn) Refrigeration Systems are like Standard Top Mount Systems without the evaporator coil hanging down from the Ceiling. The air inside the walk-in is circulated through the evaporator coil located in the Evaporator chest sitting side by side with the condensing unit on top of the walk-in box. These systems has a higher up front cost but when Installation cost and all things are considered including the fact that they are factory assembled and take no space inside the walk-in however, it is less expensive in the long run. This also does not require a condensate drain line as they have a built-in condensate vaporizer.

OUTDOOR APPLICATIONS    The Cooler and Freezer refrigeration systems that are installed out-doors require a winterizing kit if located in the snow zone. This kit provides a Hood and outside service valves, a crank case heater to keep warm the oil in the compressor  especially in winter and a fan cycle control which keep the head pressure at the proper levels.  The Bohn MO series out-door remote units come with it.    Outdoor Cooler and Freezer Boxes need to have rain roof installed to prevent water from leaking into the box. A rain cap is welded single piece membrane polyester polyvinyl, chloride roof system with connectors and a drip cap for the door, or it can be a metal flashing that installs over the roof.    WALK-INS WITHOUT FLOOR PANELS. Walk in coolers and freezers sometime come without a floor. Special precautions need to be taken to eliminate future problems. Walk-in coolers and freezers without a floor must be installed on a ground contact concrete floor. A cooler can be installed without insulating the concrete slab floor and a thermal break under each wall panel. A freezer must be installed on an insulated concrete floor and must include a thermal break under each wall panel. To know the recommended example of a concrete pad for a walk-in Freezer contact amtecs@hotmail.com   MANUFACTURER Now, there are a lot of fabricators and manufacturers for walk-in coolers and freezers. Make sure the panels do not contain any wood frame as it becomes the home of Mold bacteria because it absorbs moisture.  Wood frame is used in most cheap Walk-in panels and Doors to their gain not yours. When conducting your research also look for the following qualities the manufacturers are offering. Make sure the product you buy Conforms to the new US Energy Law 2009(EISA) and carry UL and NSF approval Stickers.             CONCLUSION Do not hesitate to call us if you have any further questions, we at AMTECS would be happy to answer your questions.  How ever we suggest you to get at least one more quote from any one, compare and then order. Please e-mail us for written answers.