It sometimes feels like there’s one on every corner – and in fact, there are now an estimated 22,845 coffee shop outlets in the UK, with the last decade seeing the largest growth period for the industry. The country’s increasing passion for hot beverages and ham-and-gruyere toasties is worth a staggering £8.9 billion in annual revenue. But the coffee shop atmosphere creates a distinct problem for equipment maintenance companies.

Air-conditioning is now an accepted and expected part of running a commercial establishment, offering a level of comfort cooling, dehumidifying open spaces, and maintaining indoor air quality regardless of the weather. Air-conditioning units naturally become less efficient when exposed to dirt and debris over time: their filters are estimated to be around 60% effective, preventing larger dirt particles like dust and skin cells from getting through to the unit, but allowing in smaller particulates with the air. As filters gradually become clogged, dirt is pulled through to land on the coil surface. After that, it’s a domino effect of escalating problems:

• the dirt acts as an insulation layer,
• the reduced heat transfer makes the system work hard to achieve the same cooling effect,
• the internal components, under additional strain, are more likely to leak or otherwise fail,
• energy and maintenance costs for keeping the unit running spiral (an inefficient unit can boost the energy bill by around 36%), and
• eventually the unit is beyond repair and must be replaced.

This is a recurring issue in every commercial establishment, but for coffee shop franchises, it presents a particular problem. Coffee and cocoa powders, milk powders and sugar particles settle on the AC unit; when combined with moisture and heat from the coil, these deposits become a sticky, tar-like substance. No one chemical cleaner will remove this combination of dairy, sugars and fats easily, and not every cleaning company is able to provide a bespoke solution. A dark, damp environment like an AC unit very quickly becomes a haven for bacteria and microorganisms, and it’s essential to clean efficiently and regularly to maintain good standards of public health.

What can be done? Firstly, the owners of coffee shop franchises need to be aware of the hazards of insufficiently maintained air conditioning systems, and build regular cleaning sessions into their budget. With inverters, heating and cooling can be provided from the same equipment, and these modern air-conditioning plants are increasingly replacing traditional heating systems. As this means the equipment is running all year round, it’s under a great deal of pressure. Systems like this become inefficient when left unmaintained, and it’s best to follow the instructions of the original equipment manufacturer to keep it running in peak condition. A regular clean helps prevent the build-up of deposits and bacteria, and makes those deposits easier to remove.

Many AC manufacturers recommend two deep cleans a year at minimum, and independent HVAC training organisations have recommended that a Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) programme should include the following:

• Carry out a visual inspection
• Check all fittings and fixtures
• Remove and clean filter
• Remove and clean condensate tray
• Deep clean exposed coil
• Clear and clean pumps and drain lines
• Check refrigeration cycle
• Check for refrigeration leaks
• Check airflows and temperatures
• Reassemble

• Check system operation – raise a repair call if faults are found.

 

As for the cleaning process itself, we are finding that a combination of dirt removal with various cleaning fluids works best, freeing the coils from contamination and checking the pumps and drains for any bacteria slime blockages. Some contractors have invested in UVB technology to disinfect AC coils, but if the dirt is not effectively removed, then no level of UVB will suffice. The right chemical solution, in conjunction with the most effective cleaning method, is crucial.

As the coffee shop demand shows no sign of slowing down, we’ll keep abreast of the most cutting-edge new research – to make sure the air stays as clean as your coffee mug.