Question 1

What size cold storage room do I need for my products?

Accepted Answer

Sizing depends on product type, daily throughput, pallet count, and turnover. As a rule of thumb, allow 1.5–2 m³ of usable space per metric ton of product, plus 30–40% for aisles and air circulation. We do a free sizing assessment before quoting.

Question 2

How much does it cost to build a cold storage facility in the Visayas?

Accepted Answer

Cost depends on size, temperature range, insulation thickness, and refrigeration type. Small chillers (10–20 m³) typically start in the low hundreds of thousands of pesos; freezer rooms and blast freezers cost more. We provide itemized quotes after a site visit.

Question 3

What's the difference between a chiller, freezer, and blast freezer?

Accepted Answer

Chillers hold products at 0 °C to 4 °C (fresh produce, dairy, pharma). Freezers hold –18 °C to –25 °C for long-term storage of meat, fish, and ice cream. Blast freezers pull product from ambient down to –30 °C or below in hours — used to preserve texture and shelf life of seafood and meat.

Question 4

How long does installation take?

Accepted Answer

A standard chiller or freezer room takes 3–6 weeks from site survey to commissioning. Larger facilities and blast freezers take 8–16 weeks. Timeline depends on panel lead time, refrigeration equipment availability, and site readiness.

Question 5

What temperature range do I need?

Accepted Answer

Fresh produce: 0–4 °C. Dairy and pharma: 2–8 °C. Frozen meat/seafood: –18 to –25 °C. Ice cream and long-term frozen storage: –25 to –30 °C. Blast freezing: –35 °C or lower. We recommend a setpoint based on your specific products.

Question 6

What insulation panels should I use, and what thickness?

Accepted Answer

Polyurethane (PUF) and polyisocyanurate (PIR) sandwich panels are the standard. Use 100 mm for chillers, 150 mm for freezers, and 200 mm for blast freezers or tropical climates. Thicker panels cost more upfront but cut electricity costs significantly over time.

Question 7

What refrigeration system is best — Freon, ammonia, or CO₂?

Accepted Answer

Freon (HFC/HFO) systems are most common for small to mid-size rooms — simpler service, lower upfront cost. Ammonia (NH₃) is efficient for large industrial facilities but requires trained operators. CO₂ is increasingly used in supermarkets and is the most environmentally friendly. We match the system to your size and operations.

Question 8

Do I need a backup generator or redundant compressors?

Accepted Answer

Yes for any commercial facility. Brownouts in the Visayas can cause product loss within hours. We recommend an auto-start generator sized to the full refrigeration load, plus dual compressors so the room keeps running if one unit fails.

Question 9

What are the site requirements (power, drainage, ceiling height)?

Accepted Answer

You need three-phase power (sized to the load), floor drainage for defrost water, a level slab capable of carrying loaded pallets, and at least 3.5 m of usable ceiling height for most rooms. We do a free site assessment before finalizing the design.

Question 10

Do I need special permits or compliance (FDA, HACCP, BFAD)?

Accepted Answer

Yes for food and pharmaceutical storage. FDA Philippines requires a License to Operate for cold chain handling food, pharma, or vaccines. HACCP compliance is required for exporters and large processors. We can recommend a consultant if you need help with documentation.

Question 11

What's the monthly electricity consumption?

Accepted Answer

A well-insulated 50 m³ freezer typically consumes 3,000–5,000 kWh per month in the Visayas climate. Chillers use roughly half that. Energy use depends heavily on insulation thickness, door discipline, and ambient temperature. We provide an energy estimate with every quote.

Question 12

What ongoing maintenance is required?

Accepted Answer

Quarterly preventive maintenance: clean condenser coils, check refrigerant charge, inspect door gaskets, calibrate temperature controls, and test the alarm system. We offer maintenance contracts that cover scheduled visits and emergency response.

Question 13

What's the lifespan of a cold storage installation?

Accepted Answer

Insulated panels last 20–25 years with proper care. Compressors and condensers typically last 10–15 years before major overhaul. Door gaskets, controls, and minor components are replaced as they wear, usually every 3–7 years.

Question 14

Can I retrofit an existing warehouse into cold storage?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in most cases. We assess the existing slab, ceiling, and power supply, then build an insulated room-within-a-room and install dedicated refrigeration. Retrofits often cost less than new construction and shorten the timeline.

Question 15

Do you handle repair and maintenance for cold rooms you didn't build?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We service cold rooms and refrigeration equipment from any manufacturer across the Visayas — Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, and Negros. Emergency response is available for active accounts.