Choosing a walk in cooler or freezer for your business can be a bit overwhelming. How do you know which one to choose? Is bigger always better? What features are worth the investment? And how important are maintenance considerations in the equation?
Getting things right when purchasing this substantial piece of equipment can help set your business up for success for many years to come. But choosing wrong can be costly, adding additional maintenance and energy expense, creating inefficiencies or extra work for your employees, and maybe even requiring earlier replacement than expected.
At Polar King, we know that educated buyers make better choices. We’ve put together this handy walk in cooler guide to help you navigate the process, so you can choose the best unit to meet your specific needs.
Quantify your business’ walk-in refrigeration needs
Before you get caught up in choosing walk in cooler features, it’s best to look inward, taking the time to list specific considerations that your business will have both right away and in the future. Think about the type of products you’ll store, how much you need to store, and how much physical space you have available.
Consider your:
Businesses type
- Are you an always-fresh restaurant that will use your cooler for storing meat and vegetables? A pharmaceutical company that requires precise ultra-low temperature control? A producer who needs more room to process products in a cold or humidity-free environment?
Workflow
- Do your employees need to retrieve smaller items from your walk in on a continual basis, all day long? Do they need to access larger, heavier items less frequently on a dolly that may require longer open door times?
Amount of inventory
- Are you storing oversized items that require more space? Will you be storing a relatively small volume of product that turns over quickly? Or do you need to continually add small amounts of product to be stored for extended periods?
Space limitations
- This is not the time for guessing — do the math now. If you need to store a large volume of items but only have a small interior space to dedicate to your walk in cooler or freezer, an outdoor walk in cooler may be the best option for you. Finding this discrepancy sooner rather than later can save you a considerable expense.
Taking the time to quantify your operation’s needs now will help you recognize the best solution when you find it. If your job isn’t directly involved with operations, be sure to contact the people who will deal directly with your perishables to find out what unique challenges they struggle with.
Walk in cooler selection
Once you have an idea of what you need, you can eliminate options that don’t fit. Start with the easiest-to-distinguish walk in cooler features and continue to narrow down your options until you have a manageable list to consider. Some of the more obvious features to consider are:
Temperature range
- Eliminate all models that don’t achieve your desired temperatures. If you only need refrigeration, for example, you can safely disregard freezers. Also eliminate models that can achieve your desired temperatures but can also achieve considerably lower or higher temperatures than you need. Although you may think that it’s better to purchase a walk in with additional capabilities, they usually come at a high cost. Choosing a unit that is optimized to operate in your desired range is a more cost-effective option.
Energy efficiency
- When making your walk in cooler comparison, look for coolers with high energy efficiency ratings to save on operating costs and reduce environmental impact. One important consideration is the quality of the insulation. Blown-in insulation often leaves voids that allow heat to enter the unit, causing “hot spots” that can increase operating costs and put your perishables at risk. Choosing a unit with high-quality insulation saves energy, protects your products, and can help increase the useful life of your walk in.
Door configuration
- Your needs, walk in location, and workflow will determine the best door configuration for your operation. Choose from single, double, or sliding doors to achieve the best balance between accessibility and efficiency.
Customization options
If your application has specific needs, industry-specific walk-in coolers or units that can be custom-built to your specifications may be your best bet. Even if options add to the upfront cost, having a solution that enhances your workflow can boost productivity, make your employees’ jobs easier, and return substantially more than your investment over the lifetime of your equipment.
One of the most important considerations when choosing a walk in cooler or freezer is the specific size and configuration. Planning ahead for future needs can make it easier to reach your goals.
Some industry-specific walk in cooler features you may want to consider include:
Multi-temperature zones
- This option allow you to store cold items at different temperatures in one unit. Multiple zones are ideal for applications such as food service, meat and poultry processing, pharmaceutical and biomedical, dairy, nurseries, and forestry.
Advanced temperature/humidity monitoring and alarm systems
- Industries that deal with very sensitive products can add an extra layer for protection for their delicate goods. These walk in cooler features are a good fit for pharmaceutical and biomedical, cannabis, breweries and wineries, nurseries, arts and antiquities, and any other industries that deal in products that can be affected by temperature or humidity variations.
Hanging hooks and overhead rails
- Industries that require products to hang, rather than sit, can benefit from built in equipment. These applications may include butchers, meat processing plants, and restaurants.
Custom shelving and racks
- Although many applications use roll in carts for organizing and transporting smaller items inside of their walk ins, some items benefit from walk in cooler features, such as keg racks for breweries, wine racks for wineries, and pharmaceutical shelving, that optimize airflow around products.
Drains
- Meat and poultry processors, dairy farms, breweries, wineries, pharmaceutical and other applications may benefit from built-in floor drains.
Walk in cooler comparison — rent or buy?
Whether you decide to rent or buy depends on both timing and your specific business. If you’re just starting out and money is tight, renting can be a good option. You can get up and running quickly without a large upfront cost, and you can start small while letting your business gain traction. Renting is also a solid option for businesses who need a large amount of cold storage for a few short months but have only minor needs in other months. Walk in cooler or freezer rentals are often more expensive in the long run, but if flexibility is important to your business, the additional cost may be worth it.
As helpful as renting is, established businesses with consistent, predictable demand will most likely benefit more from purchasing a walk in cooler or freezer. If you can afford the upfront cost, purchasing your walk in will give you more bang for the buck over the life of the unit.
Understanding Walk in Refrigeration Total Cost of Ownership
The sticker price is just the beginning. Smart buyers look at what their walk-in will actually cost them over its entire lifespan, and that number can vary dramatically between units that seem similar or even cheaper upfront.
Here’s how to calculate your real costs:
Initial investment
Don’t overlook hidden expenses. Pre-assembled outdoor units typically have lower installation costs since they arrive ready to connect, but you’ll still need proper electrical service and a concrete pad. Panel-built systems require multiple contractors and can add $6,200 to $30,500 or more to your project. Get quotes for the complete installation, not just the equipment.
Energy costs
This is usually your largest ongoing expense and it’s where insulation quality can make or break your budget. Units with blown-in insulation that leaves voids can cost significantly more to operate because your compressor works overtime cooling “hot spots.” Quality insulation, tight door seals, and efficient components reduce your monthly electric bill. To estimate your costs, ask for projected kWh usage and multiply by your local electricity rate, but remember that real-world usage depends on how often you open doors and your local climate.
Maintenance and replacement timing
Cheaper units often need more frequent repairs and earlier replacement. Look for corrosion-resistant construction and designs that prevent moisture intrusion. These features reduce service calls and extend equipment life. Factor in warranty coverage and how easy it is to get parts and service in your area. If your business might grow or move, consider whether your unit can be relocated or expanded.
The bottom line on value
A unit that costs 20% more upfront but uses 30% less energy and lasts twice as long delivers real savings. At Polar King, our seamless fiberglass construction eliminates the insulation voids common in other units, which translates to industry-leading energy efficiency and lower operating costs year after year.
Common Mistakes When Choosing a Walk-In Cooler or Freezer
When we talk with business owners about their walk-in refrigeration purchases, certain mistakes come up time and again. Here are the most costly ones to avoid:
Focusing only on sticker price instead of total ownership costs
The cheapest upfront option often becomes the most expensive over time. Your real costs include installation, monthly energy bills, maintenance visits, how long the unit lasts, and potential product loss from temperature issues. A slightly more expensive unit with better insulation and components can save you thousands in the long run.
Getting the size wrong
This mistake goes both ways. Too small, and you’ll face constant bottlenecks, slower temperature recovery after door openings, and higher spoilage risk. Too large, and you’re paying more upfront while wasting energy cooling empty space. Take time to calculate your actual storage needs, including peak inventory periods.
Overlooking door selection and traffic patterns
Your door location and type directly impact efficiency. Consider how often staff will enter, whether they’ll use carts or dollies, and how long doors typically stay open. Every door opening lets warm air in, making your compressor work harder. Choose a door configuration that fits your operation’s actual workflow.
Assuming all walk-ins are basically the same
They’re not. Pre-assembled outdoor units arrive ready to plug in, making installation simple. Panel-built systems go together on-site, which works for tight spaces or unusual layouts but requires more labor and creates more potential “hot spots.” Converted shipping containers offer quick outdoor capacity but come with higher thresholds and layouts that might not suit frequent staff access.
Skimping on energy efficiency features
This is where many businesses lose money over time. The most important factor is insulation quality: Blown-in insulation often leaves voids that create “hot spots,” forcing your system to work harder and putting your products at risk. Look for units with high-quality, continuous insulation that eliminates these gaps. Also prioritize tight-sealing doors and gaskets, LED lighting, and efficient fan motors. These features cost a tad more initially but can significantly reduce your monthly electric bill while better protecting your perishables.
Ignoring environmental factors
Your local climate matters. Extreme heat, sun exposure, wind, snow loads, and humidity all affect performance and determine which type of walk in is right for you. Outdoor units need proper ventilation for heat rejection. Freezer floors require frost protection strategies that vary by climate. Choose equipment designed for your specific environment, not generic solutions.
Considerations when comparing walk in cooler installation
The last comparison we’ll offer in this walk in cooler guide is about installation. In order for your walk in to perform at its best, it need to be installed properly. Panel boxes need to be assembled on site by professional contractors. You’ll need a general contractor to oversee the project, a refrigeration contractor to handle the cooling system and refrigerant, and an electrician to make the electrical connections. Other contractors may be required if you have floor drains, need to integrate your walk in with your HVAC system, or have other specific needs. All in, panel box installation will add between $6,200 on the low end to $30,500 or more on the high end.
Alternatively, you can choose a Polar King walk in cooler or freezer. These units arrive on a truck with a crane, preassembled and ready to land at the outdoor location you choose. Because they are outdoor units, you can use your reclaimed interior space to increase your productivity and operational efficiency and allow your walk in cooler selection to match size and configuration that best enhances your workflow, rather than being confined to what fits your available floor space. Polar King walk ins require only a simple electrical connection, and can be up and running just a few hours after delivery.
Polar King rules the ice
Founded in 1982, Polar King leads the industry with the most energy-efficient walk in freezers and coolers on the market. Our reliable units eliminate the possibility of insulation voids that are common with the foamed-in place polyurethane typically found in panel boxes by using polyisocyanurate rigid board.
We completely encase this highly effective insulation in durable fiberglass, creating a seamless surface — inside and out — that prevents air and water from penetrating while remaining exceptionally strong, durable, and attractive. This superior design prevents leaks, reduces maintenance, and allows Polar King units to operate at peak efficiency using less electricity than competitors’ units, even in the direct sun.
Our walk in coolers and freezers come fully assembled and ready to go with just a simple electrical connection and can be customized to meet your needs.
Want to find out how Polar King walk in coolers and freezers can increase efficiency and cut expenses for your business? Fill out our web form or call 877.224.8674 today.
