A cold room is a facility designed to control temperature, humidity, time, and other parameters for food storage. It is a valuable addition to any commercial kitchen and offers numerous benefits. However, it can be expensive to install and maintain. So, it is important to hire the best cold room builders to complete your project.
Increasing food storage space
Cold storage facilities are an important part of a food distribution network. Demand for cold storage space is forecast to increase in the coming years due in part to a strong economy and the growing popularity of frozen foods. In addition, the growth of online grocery shopping has helped the industry grow. Forrester predicts that e-commerce will increase grocery sales by 21.5 percent by 2025.
The cold storage industry has also changed in recent years, with warehouse managers focusing on doing more with fewer workers and enhancing the cleanliness of the facilities. In the U.S., the largest metropolitan area for cold storage is California, followed by Chicago/Dallas/Fort Worth, and Philadelphia. These metropolitan areas have the largest concentration of cold storage properties, most of which were built before 1990.
There are two leading cold room builders companies, Bay Grove Capital and Americold Realty Trust. Together, they have acquired more than $1 billion in properties over the last 24 months.
Controlling the temperature, time, and humidity in a cold room:
Several components of a cold room can be controlled. One important component is the thermostat. The proper temperature of a cold room is essential for food safety and the freshness of the products stored in it. A reliable thermostat also improves energy efficiency. But how do you control humidity?
A humidifier is a great way to control humidity in a cold room. It works by converting moisture particles into water and removing them from the area. However, this method can be costly to install and can have a high electricity cost. Fortunately, many DIY solutions control humidity in a cold room.
A reliable thermostat will also help stabilize the internal temperature of a cold room and reduce the load on its compressor, evaporator, and condenser. Electronic controllers can be programmed to work with each system component to reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency. Moreover, they can be used to collect usage data, monitor door openings and fluctuations in temperature, and control fan and compressor cycles.
Cost of installing a cold room:
Installing a cold room requires a lot of investment. You will need to invest in land and a building and acquire the necessary permits. You will also need to pay for electricity and water. This investment will require a substantial amount of start-up capital. Depending on the size of your cold storage facility, you can choose from various models and configurations. Some models come with prefabricated refrigerator containers. Others are more modern and energy efficient.