You can run a laboratory without a deep freezer only in your dreams. It is not possible in reality as no laboratory can run without the cold storage facility.
The need to preserve temperature-sensitive items like samples, vaccines, specimens, etc. in laboratories call for the investment in a deep freezer unit, such as an ultra-low temperature freezer. It is a must-have unit for preserving items at precise temperatures.
The good thing is that your investment in such a cold storage unit will elicit returns. With a lifespan of around fifteen years, such a freezer will give you the value for your money.
But, make sure that you invest in a good quality unit. Today, you can see many advancements in freezer technology, and the units are becoming more efficient than ever before. So, choose the right model for your laboratory.
Benefits of Ultra-Low Temperature (ULT) Freezer
What makes a ULT freezer indispensable for your laboratory is the slew of benefits it entails. The benefits are as follows:
Low Power Consumption
Today’s ULT freezer units consume less power than the earlier variants. You can lower your electricity expenses with such a unit in your laboratory. Conforming to the carbon footprint concerns, many manufacturers have made innovative ULT freezers that use liquid nitrogen for cooling, doing away with a compressor. As such, the power consumption is low, and you can save money on electricity bills.
Low Sound
Modern ULT freezers come with a sound reduction system, which are vents with filters that reduce noise from the units. Also, balcony vents on the backside of the units reduce the noise further. As such, you do not get any noisy sounds from such a unit. Ensure that you read the technical specifications thoroughly before you finalize a unit for purchasing.
Customized Solutions
If you fail to find a ULT freezer in the market that perfectly matches your requirements, there is no need to worry. Many manufacturers today offer customized solutions to match your requirements. Whether it is the number of compartments, door configuration, voltage stabilizer, or compressor settings, you can get it all.
Excellent Temperature Control
What sets a ULT freezer apart is the excellent temperature control it offers. The perfect temperature control feature is necessary to store temperature-sensitive items effectively. ULT freezers are the ideal cold storage solutions for laboratories with robust inner doors, highly efficient gaskets, and quicker pull-down and recovery times.
Sustainability
With a ULT freezer, you can run your laboratory in sustainable ways. You get everything transparent– power consumption, recyclability, service life, and manufacturing quality. With such a unit, you get value for the money you spend in purchasing the freezer.
The upright variant of ULT freezers is the most common type. It is mostly used in laboratories. The design is more or less similar to the household refrigerators. In ULT freezers, Propane and Ethane are used as refrigerants.
Most of the upright ULT freezers can operate at -80 degrees C., And they can maintain temperatures even lower, but the motor will come under strain in that case.
Factors to Consider Before Investing in a ULT Freezer
After you know about the benefits of a ULT freezer, you might tend to purchase one in haste, without giving a thought to anything. It is not a good idea, so avoid that, instead spend some time considering a slew of factors to land on the right freezer for your laboratory.
There are many factors to consider before you buy a ULT freezer. You need to assess the freezer features vis-a-vis your laboratory needs.
Look for features, such as communication port, data logger or data storage, temperature excursion alarm, automatic door closing provision, temperature uniformity, and temperature recovery options.
A good quality ULT freezer can maintain a uniform temperature inside the unit and quickly recovers to the set temperature after you close the door after opening.
When you open the door, warm air from outside enters the unit, making the freezer work harder for a brief period for resuming the set temperature.
A ULT freezer maintains a freezing temperature environment with the help of high-end compressors.
Keep an Eye on Malfunctioning
It is needless to say that a ULT freezer is a piece of mechanical equipment that is prone to failures. It can also stop working or malfunction. So, what could be the symptoms that can indicate any malfunctioning of your freezers? Read on:
Noises
If you hear your freezer making noises, there can be some problems with the evaporator fan motor. Call the technician and assess whether it needs a replacement. But, bear in mind that not all freezers make the same noise when the fan motor malfunctions.
Noise can also emanate from the ice maker if it malfunctions. So, ask the technician to figure out if there is an issue with the ice maker.
Frost Build-Up
It can hamper the functioning of your freezer. If you see frost building-up around the freezer door’s gaskets, it can be due to the door not being closed properly. So, check out if any item inside the freezer is preventing the gaskets from sealing tightly. If you see the frost build-up despite the door being closed correctly, the reason could be a faulty defrost heater. In that case, replace the defrost heater.
Water Leakage
If you see water leaking out of your freezer, take it seriously. It can be due to a frozen defrosting drain. You need to defrost and clean it. Water leakage can also happen due to petty issues, like spilling water while filling up a glass with water, so check such issues.
