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Used and Refurbished Commercial Refrigerators: Pros and Cons

November 11th, 2022

Last updated: June 26th, 2024

Plenty of businesses use commercial refrigeration equipment, from medical facilities through to factories and commercial kitchens.

If you’ve ever had to purchase one for your business, you will know how expensive these kinds of products are, so they need to be looked after. With a lot of businesses closing, moving premises, or even upgrading their equipment, there is a big market for second hand and refurbished commercial refrigerators. Is it worth exploring one of these for your business if you are in the market for refrigeration?

Some people starting businesses will want to buy all of the latest equipment, but sometimes buying something that has been used can be a savvy way to do things, especially if it has been properly looked after.

Positives of Buying Used Commercial Refrigerators

There are quite a few reasons to consider buying used commercial refrigerators. The first of the reasons below is obvious, but there are actually some additional considerations.

Save Money

If you need a refrigeration unit but you don’t have a lot of money to spend, or you are looking to get a fridge for your commercial premises in a way that can save your business money, refurbished or used could be the way to go. You can usually save a lot off of the original price. If you buy used then you may save around 50% of the catalog price. Buy refurbished and you might spend a little more than this.

When you buy a second-hand commercial refrigerator it is a good idea to get it checked and serviced. This helps to ensure it is working at its optimum capacity and may also allow you to check for any undiagnosed issues with the fridge.

It May Be Better For the Environment

Ensuring that these items get their full use rather than getting replaced early can be good for the environment. Of course, this depends on the efficiency of the refrigerator itself. If it is not very energy efficient then this may not be the case, as you may create more emissions.

Negatives of Buying Used Equipment

Of course, there are some downsides to this method of buying equipment. Whether a commercial refrigeration unit or a commercial freezer,

No Guarantees or Warranty

Most of this kind of equipment is “sold as seen” so if an issue crops up then you may need to pay yourself for repairs.

This isn’t always the case, if you buy a unit that is refurbished then the company that repaired it and serviced it to get it back into shape might give you a warranty, but this is not guaranteed of course.

You Might Forego Modern Efficiency

As time goes on, refrigerators, just like boilers and other appliances, are getting more efficient. This means that if you buy an older model then there is every chance that you won’t have the best fridge in terms of efficiency. This means it will not be good for the environment, and that it could cost you more in energy.

Less Choice

Though there is a market for second-hand equipment, you won’t get the same sort of options that you would if you were buying brand new. There is not as much choice, and it can also be harder to get these refrigerators delivered and installed.

Other Options For Commercial Refrigeration

If you need to save some money on your commercial refrigeration then it is a good idea to look into all of your options. While you can buy a new product outright, or a used commercial refrigerator, there are also some other payment options.

Some of the commercial refrigerator retailers can provide interest-free payments which means you can pay over a longer period of time without incurring any interest. Avoiding the extra interest takes away a lot of the risk of paying over a long period of time. Just make sure you budget for these costs.

Many businesses rely on loans for equipment in the early stages, too, but this is something to be cautious with and ensure the repayments are realistic.

Summary – Looking After Your Commercial Refrigerator

Whether you opt for something new or for something that has been refurbished, it is crucial that you take care of your refrigerator. It is an investment, and regular servicing can help you to ensure that you don’t have to replace the refrigerator prematurely, and this can save you a lot of money in the long run.

Our professional team of trained engineers can advise you on the specific maintenance your system requires, with trained engineers available to service your refrigerator across the North of England. Our Yorkshire-based team performs planned maintenance as well as emergency repairs as required.

Working across Yorkshire, we cover North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and South Yorkshire and offer a fast, efficient response time to all breakdowns and repairs. Contact us today for all planned, reactive maintenance or emergency call out. Call 01423 226578 or get in touch to see how Robinsons Facilities Services can help.

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