Pros: when to replace equipment by age.

I run an HVAC Company in the PNW. My stock and trade is HVAC I've fallen into the /R by happenstance. I've been HVAC/R for 6 years. 4% of my calls are refrigeration.

That's the background on me.

The contract: Several Ice cream stores that rhymes with haskin hobbins

The problem: A not restaurant guy bought 3 several years ago. He went from paying high maintenance $$$ to a large reefer company, and started using small independent guys. Guys doing side work, HVAC guys etc. I got him under contract for HVAC, but had a clause for the /R. He's got machines from 1993-2003. Dipping freezers are in good solid condition. HVAC is eh, he needs a new rtu at each store (1 unit beats me in age) The walk-ins have survived lack of maintenance.

It's the glass door merchandisers Dude. Dude. I'm pulling fur mats off these things.

So I'm on my 4th box that's failed in a month, and he's only got 6 in total.

Small refrigerant leaks, bad defrost heaters, a bad txv, and with some of these originally custom built by carrier Corp. And no manuals available, some guys have hacked the control system to a veritsble rats nest.

My skills let's me fix them. Re-wire, pop in the 18oz of 404a, But he's probably dropped an average of $800-$1200 per freezer. At what age can I tell him, hey man, it's $6k each, you need to replace these off age alone, it doesn't matter that I can keep resuscitation going.

I've been debating getting him a modernization quote. Dropping in a KE2 system, and possibly an EEV, with the goal of making these bulletproof for a decade.

We're also getting him started on a program where three "team leads" get trained by me in maintenance on all 3 stores, and perform monthly cleanings of every single piece of refrigeration to bring his monthly maintenance cost down, as well as his energy bills. (A couple studies done at Landry's restaurants, have shown that it reduces maintenance cost, and energy costs by about 22% and 38% respectively)

Thoughts? I know 1993 is too old for one of these things. But is 2003? Thanks, J

submitted by /u/Jonnythecontractor
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