Freezer Services

ULT Freezer Monitors

If you have a freezer that needs monitoring, please reach out to Robin Arellano-Valles, arellarl@colorado.edu, at Facilities Managment.

Presently most ULT freezers on campus with an equipment number are monitored for temperature. However, just because a freezer is keeping temperature does not mean that it is performing well. A freezer may be struggling and threatening to fail.

From 2015-2016, CU Boulder was an evaluation site for Thermo Insight, an ULT freezer monitoring system that records temperature as well as performance. The Thermo Insight monitoring system is attached to your freezer or refrigerator and wirelessly transmits temperature, performance and energy usage data. The system sends alerts when there is a temperature excursion inside your freezer, but also monitors freezer performance and will send warnings when a freezer is not performing well and perhaps close to failure. Contact Robin Arellano for more information regarding installation of the Thermo Insight monitoring system.

Thermo Insight FAQ Page

Maintenance

Performing routine preventative maintenance on your freezers and refrigerators can extend the life of expensive equipment and keep it running efficiently.

Free ULT freezer Preventative Maintenance checks by HVAC shop

A technician from the Facilities Management HVAC shop does preventative maintenance on ULT freezers on an annual basis. *Maintenance services are only applicable for -80 (ULT) freezers. Preventative maintenance may differ depending on make and model of the freezer *

Maintenance services may include:

Defrost the freezer when necessary.
Brush or vacuum condenser coil.
Wipe down all mechanical components.
Check and tighten all electrical connections.
Check the amperage of the compressor and fans.
Confirm freezer temperature.
Check and cycle operation controls.
Check alarms and safeties.
Check the operation of the alarm dialer.
Verify current lab contacts.

Please contact greenlabs@colorado.edu and Robin Arellano-Valles arellarl@colorado.edu to let us know you have an ULT freezer that you would like to have added to the preventative maintenance list.

Maintenance checklists for all other refrigerator and freezers

For refrigerators, cold incubators, and freezers at -20 ⁰C, you can take preventative maintenance steps on your own to keep these pieces of equipment in the best possible shape. Ensuring there isn’t a build-up of frost in your equipment, ensuring the door is sealing properly, and ensuring that there are no objects in your freezer blocking the airflow are all great ways to help your equipment run as energy efficiently as possible with the least amount of strain on the mechanics.

If you have any questions about preventative maintenance for any of your refrigerators, cold incubators, or freezers, please contact greenlabs@colorado.edu.

See our maintenance checklists for various refrigerators and freezers below. [icon shape="fa-chevron-circle-down" size="regular" color="gold" /]

Mobile Freezers

If your lab needs ULT freezer space while defrosting or cleaning out your freezer, CU Green Labs would be happy to help. We have four freezers that are part of the shared ULT freezer program that may have space, and we can also connect you with other labs that may have available space.

CU Green Labs has mobile manual defrost freezers available at: