Insulation is key if you plan to run an energy-efficient walk-in cooler in Delaware, and that includes its floors. The better you’re able to maintain a consistently cool temperature, the better the cooler can store and maintain your products.
If you don’t insulate your walk-in cooler, you risk unnecessary heat transfer anytime you open the door. Heat will also be able to penetrate the cooler from the floors, walls and roof. Your cooler is not only responsible for keeping your products chilled, but it also removes moisture and humidity from the air. This increases the chances of mold and other dampness-related issues, and can even taint food products.
Here’s what you should consider when you’re going to install walk-in cooler floor insulation in Delaware:
- Location: If your walk-in cooler is located on a concrete ground floor (that is, not above a basement or other space), which is only accessed by foot traffic, you may not need a separate insulated floor. However, if it’s located elsewhere (or it has wooden and/or carpeted flooring and subflooring), you’ll need to insulate the floor to prevent moisture, mold and rot. You’ll also need an insulated floor if you plan to run pallets, jacks and carts through the freezer. There are pre-fabricated flooring options available, which keeps condensation from forming on the ground. Your insulated flooring will contain thermal breaks that prevent condensation and heat transfer, making your walk-in cooler more efficient.
- Preventing moisture buildup: Anytime you have a cooler installed over another floor, you risk heat transfer occurring between the bottom floor and the cooler floor. Condensation can form, which builds up between the two floors. In the short term, this starts to create mold buildup between floors, which harms the products and reduces your energy efficiency. In the long term, it may even destroy the structural stability of your facility.
- Flooring type: Choosing the right kind of floor for your walk-in cooler is the final step in ensuring a great, stable and moisture-free result. Concrete flooring is often the best option, but adding vinyl, resin and metal flooring on the top can further insulate your walk-in cooler. You can get corrugated or otherwise textured floors to reduce the possibility of slipping. If moisture does build up in your cooler, it can lead to slips and other issues.
- Weight: Again, if you’re not on the ground floor, you’ll need to give some thought to how heavy your storage is (as well as the vehicles you use to access the cooler). Most floors support about 1,000 pounds per square foot, but if you’re storing particularly heavy items or using heavy vehicles, consider upgrading. Some flooring options can support up to 5,000 pounds per square foot.
In short, insulation is not just important for keeping your energy bills lower, but it also contributes to your building’s structural stability and worker safety.
Interested in insulating your walk-in cooler’s floor in Delaware? Commercial Equipment Service Inc. is happy to install and maintain your equipment—call us today to get started.