Top Mistakes We See in Cheap Cold Room Installations (And How to Avoid Them)
When it comes to cold room installations, cutting corners to save money can end up being a very expensive decision. At ACRO Refrigeration, we’ve repaired, rebuilt, and replaced hundreds of cold rooms across Brisbane and the Gold Coast—and we’ve seen first hand what happens when businesses go for the cheapest quote instead of the most reliable one.
Here are the top mistakes we see in low-cost cold room installations, and how you can avoid them:
1. Undersized Refrigeration Systems
The issue: Cheap installers often fit a unit that’s too small for the actual load or usage pattern to keep costs down.
The result: The fridge struggles to reach temperature, runs 24/7, breaks down frequently, and uses more power.
Our advice: Always have a refrigeration specialist properly size your system based on heat load, product turnover, room size, insulation, and door usage.
2. Poor Insulation or Panel Quality
The issue: Inferior panels or incorrect installation (e.g. poor sealing, unlevel floors) allow warm air to leak into the cold room.
The result: Ice build-up, temperature fluctuations, and higher running costs.
Our advice: Use high-quality panels with tight interlocking seals, and ensure all wall, ceiling, and floor joints are properly finished.
3. No Vapour Barrier or Drainage Consideration
The issue: Some budget installations skip proper vapour barriers or don’t slope floors for drainage.
The result: Moisture intrusion, mould, water damage, and hygiene risks.
Our advice: Cold rooms must include proper vapour barriers and floor gradients to comply with food safety and building standards.
4. Incorrect Thermostat Placement
The issue: We often see thermostats placed too close to the evaporator coil or in dead zones.
The result: Inaccurate temperature readings and failed compliance with HACCP standards.
Our advice: Thermostats and probes should be positioned where the average air temp reflects actual product conditions—not just cold air circulation points.
5. No Room for Maintenance Access
The issue: In tight installs, units are sometimes boxed in with no space to safely access fan motors, compressors, or drains.
The result: Major service costs down the track or the need to remove parts of the cold room just to do basic repairs.
Our advice: Design for access. We always leave enough room for servicing, gas top-ups, and future upgrades.
6. Non-Compliant Electrical or Lighting Work
The issue: Cheap installs often involve cutting costs on electrical work. This could mean poor wiring, exposed terminals, or non-food-safe lights.
The result: Fire risk, blown circuits, or food safety compliance issues.
Our advice: All electrical components should be installed by a licensed electrician and meet food service requirements (e.g. IP-rated LED lights).
7. No Commissioning or Handover
The issue: We’ve seen installs where the system is simply switched on with no run-in period, logging, or explanation to the customer.
The result: Early failure, missed setup faults, or systems running inefficiently for years.
Our advice: A professional install includes commissioning, testing, and client handover—so you know exactly how to operate and monitor your system.
Don’t Let a Cheap Cold Room Cost You More
A cold room is a critical asset—especially in foodservice, retail, and hospitality. A poorly installed system will cost more in power, breakdowns, and stock loss over time than a quality system ever would upfront.
At ACRO Refrigeration, we specialise in commercial cold room design, installation, and maintenance across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Our systems are built to last—and to meet the food safety and operational demands of your business.
✅ Want a second opinion on a cold room quote?
We’re happy to review your plans or inspect an existing setup.
🔹 Call us today on 1300 227 600
🔹 Email: workshop@acrorefrigeration.com.au
🔹 Visit www.acrorefrigeration.com.au
Serving Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Greater QLD
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