The monoblock refrigeration unit is designed to simplify refrigeration system installation by integrating the main refrigeration components into a all-in-one factory-assembled system. However, the correct installation is still very important. With correct and professional installation, it can not only ensure the normal operation of the monoblock refrigeration unit, but also extend its service life.
This guide is to explain how to install a monoblock refrigeration unit correctly, including ceiling-mounted monoblock refrigeration unit, wall-mounted monoblock refrigeration unit.
What Is a Monoblock Refrigeration Unit?
The monoblock refrigeration unit is also called all-in-one refrigeration unit. It integrates the refrigeration compressor, condenser, expansion device and evaporator, these four major refrigeration cycle components into a all-in-one monoblock refrigeration system and pre-assembled in the factory. Customers don’t need to weld the pipes, leakage test, vacuum and add the refrigerant on site. The integrated and pre-assembled design simplify the monoblock refrigeration unit installation, help our customer save the installation fee.
More information, please click here: Monoblock Refrigeration Unit
What Do You Need Before Installing a Monoblock Refrigeration Unit?
Before installing a cold room monoblock refrigeration unit, we need to confirm whether the monoblock refrigeration unit is compatible with the cold room or freezer room. So we need to check the cold room size, cold room target temperature, installation type, refrigerant, voltage and frequency, mounting opening, ambient temperature and so on.
1. Start By Checking The Cold Room Size
The cold room size is one of the basic factors to determine the monoblock refrigeration unit cooling capacity. Except the cold room dimension, these information we need to prepare before monoblock refrigeration unit installation:
- Cold room dimension (length × width × height)
- Cold room panel thickness
- Door dimensions and opening frequency
- Cold room target temperature
- Product type and approximate product load
Except the cold room size, we should also consider the cold room panel thickness and insulation performance. The thicker the cold storage panel, the better the insulation performance.
The door opening frequency will also affect the monoblock refrigeration unit cooling capacity btu directly. The more times the cold room door is opened, the greater the loss of cold and the higher the energy consumption.
Cold room target temperature. We need to check the monoblock refrigeration unit is used in cold storage room 2~8°C or freezer storage room -18°C.
The approximate product load depends directly on the product type, its daily incoming volume, and whether the goods are respiring (fresh fruits/vegetables) or already frozen or chilled products. The product load is the factor we will ignore easily.
2. Refrigeration Cooling Load Calculation
For a reliable selection of monoblock refrigeration unit, we need to make the cold room refrigeration load calculation. It is not only be determined by the cold room size, but also depend on these factors below:
- Cold room dimension and insulation panels
- Cold room target temperature
- Cold room ambient temperature
- Cold room product entering temperature and product load
- Cold room door opening frequency
- Cold lighting and other internal heat sources
- Cold room defrost
- Cold room required pull-down time
The cooling load calculation requires professional refrigeration engineers, if you are not sure which refrigeration capacity monoblock refrigeration unit you need? Provide your cold room dimensions, target temperature, ambient temperature, and product information. Glen Refrigeration’s engineers will help you select a suitable monoblock refrigeration unit.
3. Check the Monoblock Refrigeration Unit Installation Type
The monoblock refrigeration units for cold room are available in ceiling-mounted and wall-mounted. We can select suitable monoblock refrigeration unit installation type according to the cold room available space.
- Wall-mounted monoblock refrigeration unit
- Ceiling-mounted or drop-in refrigeration unit (First generation)
- Ceiling-mounted or drop-in refrigeration unit (New generation)
The wall-mounted monoblock refrigeration unit is installed on the side of the cold room or freezer room. It requires an installation opening on one of the cold room wall panels and sufficient space around the condenser for heat injection.
The ceiling-mounted drop in refrigeration units (First generation and new generation) are all installed on the top of the cold room or freezer room. So it requires an installation opening on the cold room roof panel.
We can choose the wall-mounted monoblock refrigeration unit or ceiling-mounted or drop-in refrigeration unit according to our cold room structure.
4. Select Refrigerant R404A, R448A, R449A or R290
According to different refrigerants, there is:
- R404A monoblock refrigeration unit
- R448A R449A monoblock refrigeration unit
- R290 monoblock refrigeration unit
We need to check which refrigerant is required for the cold room project. The main factor that determines the selection of refrigerants is GWP (global warming potential). The GWP of R404A refrigerant is 3922, which is much higher than R448A, R449A and R290. Because of high GWP, R404A refrigerant is prohibited in many countries, R449A and R290 are the suitable refrigerants to replace.
If the R404A refrigerant is prohibited in your country, you can select R449A monoblock refrigeration unit or R290 monoblock refrigeration unit to replace.
5. Electric Power Voltage and Frequency
The monoblock refrigeration units are available in different voltages and frequencies:
- 220V/50Hz 1PH monoblock refrigeration unit
- 220V/60Hz 1PH monoblock refrigeration unit
- 380V/50Hz 3PH monoblock refrigeration unit
- 115V/60Hz 1PH monoblock refrigeration unit
Selection the suitable monoblock refrigeration unit according to the electrical supply at the installation site. If the power supply is not correct, the monoblock refrigeration is unavailable to operate normally.
Before commissioning, we should verify and complete the electrical work:
- Whether the voltage and frequency of the monoblock refrigeration unit is correct or not?
- Whether the monoblock unit is grounded or not?
- Whether the cable sizing is sufficient for the monoblock refrigeration unit?
The electrical work should be carried out by a qualified electrician in accordance with local electrical codes and the manufacturer’s requirements.
If you are not sure the cable sizing, feel free to contact with us. Email: info@greehvacr.com Whatapp: 0086 15057108995
6. Prepare the Mounting Opening
The monoblock refrigeration unit is installed at the side of the cold room or on the top of the cold room. So a mounting opening on the cold room wall panel or roof panel is required before the installation.
The mounting opening of the monoblock units depends on specific model. Differnet types, different models, the mounting opening is different. So please cut the mounting opening according to the drawing or operation manual.
Please see the Wall-mounted monoblock units mounting opening below:
Please see the Ceiling-mounted monoblock units mounting opening (First Generation) below:
Please see the Ceiling-mounted monoblock units mounting opening (New Generation) below:
Important: If you have any questions , please contact with Glen Refrigeration to confirm before cutting the cold room pane.
7. Check Ambient Temperature Arounding The Monoblock Units
The ambient temperature can affect the monoblock refrigeration unit performance directly. So it is not recommended to install the monoblock refrigeration unit directly under the sun. It is suggested to install a sun shelter for the monoblock refrigeration unit and the cold room. Please see the picture below:
8. Check The Air Flow and Ventilation
If the ambient temperature of the monoblock refrigeration unit installation place is not high, but the ventilation is poor, it will also affect the monoblock refrigeration unit performance. Because the monoblock refrigeration unit condenser will discharge the heat when the unit is running. If the surrounding environment is poorly ventilated, so the ambient temperature around the monoblock refrigeration unit will be higher and higher. It will directly affect the monoblock refrigeration unit operation and cause the monoblock refrigeration unit high pressure protection.
Make sure there is sufficient clearance around the condenser air inlet and outlet. If the condenser coil air inlet and outlet is blocked, the hot air can recirculate around the condenser, increasing condensing temperature over-high and reducing refrigeration performance.
9. Drainage of the Monoblock Refrigeration Unit
After the monoblock refrigeration unit runs for a period of time, the frost or ice will be condensed on the surface of the evaporator. So there is defrost water when the monoblock refrigeration unit starts defrosting. The water will drip into the water tray pan below the evaporator coil and then be guided to the outside of the unit through the drainage pipe.
The drainage structure of the wall-mounted monoblock units and ceiling-mounted monoblock units are different. So we need to check the drain outlet location, drain pipe diameter, required drain slope, ensuring the defrost water will be drained from the monoblock refrigeration unit normally.
Please see the wall-mounted monoblock units drainage outlet location:
Please see the first generation ceiling-mounted monoblock units drainage outlet location:
Please see the new generation ceiling-mounted monoblock units drainage outlet location:
A poorly designed drainage system can cause water accumulation, icing, or leakage inside or around the cold room.
Important: We need to observe the monoblock refrigeration unit drainage regularly.
Need Help Selecting a Monoblock Refrigeration Unit?
If you are preparing a new cold room installation and are not sure which monoblock refrigeration unit you need, send us the following information:
- Cold room dimensions
- Target room temperature
- Ambient temperature
- Product and approximate product load
- Installation type
- Refrigerant
- Voltage, phase and frequency
Glen Refrigeration will recommend a suitable monoblock refrigeration unit according to your application and installation configuration for your project.
Request a Model Recommendation or Quote:
Wall-mouned Monoblock Refrigeration Unit
Ceiling-mounted Monoblock Refrigeration Unit
How to Install a Monoblock Refrigeration Unit?
After we check the cold room size, required room temperature, installation type, refrigerant, voltage and frequency, mounting opening, ambient temperature and ventilation, drainage and electrical power, we will move to next step-install a monoblock refrigeration unit. Because of different structure, the installation of the wall-mounted monoblock refrigeration unit and ceiling-mounted monoblock refrigeration unit will be a little different.
How to Install a Ceiling-Mounted Monoblock Refrigeration Unit?
Please see the Ceiling-Mounted Monoblock Refrigeration Unit diagram below:
How to Install a Ceiling-Mounted Monoblock Refrigeration Unit?
Please see the Ceiling-Mounted Monoblock Refrigeration Unit diagram below:
How to Install a Wall-Mounted Monoblock Refrigeration Unit?
Please see the Wall-Mounted Monoblock Refrigeration Unit diagram below:
Monoblock Refrigeration Unit Installation FAQ
1. Can I install a monoblock refrigeration unit myself?
Yes, the monoblock refrigeration unit can installed by yourself, it is a easy installation refrigeration unit, no need professional refrigeration engineering. Because it is an all-in-one integrated refrigeration unit. There is no need to perform on-site operations such as pipe welding, leak testing, vacuuming, and refrigerant charging. The monoblock refrigeration unit has been factory-tested and pre-charged with refrigerant.
2. Does a monoblock refrigeration unit need refrigerant charging?
The monoblock refrigeration has been factory-tested and pre-charged with refrigerant. They don’t need to add the refrigerant anymore.
3. Does a monoblock refrigeration unit need copper pipe installation?
The monoblock refrigeration units are pre-charged, all-in-one systems. They don’t require on-site pipe welding.
4. How long does it take to install a monoblock refrigeration unit?
Generally it takes about 2 or 4 hours to install a monoblock refrigeration unit. Here are the steps to install a monoblock refrigeration unit.
- Making Mounting Opening. If the installation opening has not yet been made, you will need to cut an opening in the cold room wall panel or ceiling panel first. It takes about 30~60 minutes. (If the mounting opening have been cut already, skip this step directly.)
- Mounting the Monoblock Refrigeration Unit: Lifting the monoblock refrigeration unit and fit it into the mounting opening. Then use the mushroom-head screw to fix the unit into the wall panel. It takes about 30~60 minutes.
- Electrical Connection: It takes about 30 minutes to wire the power supply.
- Testing and commissioning: Powering on the unit, setting the target temperature, checking the cold room temperature drop.
5. What size opening is required for a monoblock refrigeration unit?
Different models, the size opening is different. Please check the operation manual or installation manual. If you still have questions, feel free to contact with us. Our email: info@greehvacr.com or Whatsapp: 0086 15057108995
6. Where should a monoblock refrigeration unit be installed?
Wall mounted monoblock refrigeration unit: installed on the cold room wall panel.
Ceiling mounted monoblock refrigeration unit: Installed on the top of the cold room or freezer room
7. Can a monoblock refrigeration unit be used for a freezer room?
Yes, our monoblock refrigeration unit can be used for freezer room. The monoblock refrigeration unit is both suitable for cold room 2~8°C and freezer room -18°C. The temperature range is +10°C to -18°C.
If you need freezer room -22°C, it is also no problem, we can use evaporator with enlarged fin space to make the monoblock refrigeration unit reach -22°C.
8. What power supply does a monoblock refrigeration unit need?
Glen Refrigeration has monoblock refrigeration unit with different power supply, you can choose according to your specific requirements.
- 220V/50Hz 1PH monoblock refrigeration unit
- 220V/60Hz 1PH monoblock refrigeration unit
- 380V/50Hz 3PH monoblock refrigeration unit
- 115V/60Hz 1PH monoblock refrigeration unit
9. How do I choose the correct monoblock refrigeration unit?
You can choose the correct monoblock refrigeratin unit according to the cold room dimension, target temperature, refrigerant, power supply, installation type. If you need any help, feel free to to contact us. We will help you to choose.
