Reliable refrigeration is essential in commercial horticulture. Nurseries producing high-value plants require precise temperature control to protect product quality, maintain plant health, and support efficient distribution. Even a well-constructed cold room will struggle to perform if the cold room refrigeration system has been incorrectly sized or installed without proper ventilation.
One of the most common problems encountered in commercial refrigeration is an undersized refrigeration system. A unit that cannot match the cooling load will operate continuously, consume excessive electricity, struggle to achieve the required temperature, and ultimately experience premature failure. Incorrect condenser positioning can further reduce performance by restricting airflow and preventing efficient heat rejection.
This case study highlights how Glotech Group upgraded the refrigeration system for Fall Creek Nursery, a globally recognised leader in blueberry genetics and commercial nursery production. The existing refrigeration equipment could no longer maintain the required storage temperature, affecting the performance of the cold room.
Following a detailed assessment, Glotech Group replaced the ageing refrigeration equipment with a correctly sized FRIGA Slim Pack refrigeration system, relocated the condenser to a properly ventilated outdoor position, and restored dependable cold room performance for the client’s blueberry nursery operations.
The nursery already had a refrigeration system installed, but the cold room consistently struggled to maintain the required operating temperature.
Instead of reaching and holding +4°C, the refrigeration equipment operated continuously while delivering inconsistent cooling performance.
A refrigeration system that cannot achieve its design temperature places unnecessary stress on every component.
The client required a permanent engineering solution rather than another temporary repair.
Glotech Group carried out a full inspection of the refrigeration installation.
The assessment identified two major problems.
Simply servicing or repairing the unit would not resolve the underlying design problem.
The second issue involved condenser location.
Without sufficient airflow, condenser temperatures rise, refrigeration efficiency decreases, compressor operating pressures increase, and cooling performance deteriorates. Even a correctly sized refrigeration unit can struggle when ventilation is inadequate.
Rather than repairing ageing equipment that had never been properly matched to the application, Glotech Group recommended a complete cold room refrigeration upgrade.
The solution included:
By correcting both the refrigeration capacity and condenser location, the new installation addressed the root causes of the performance problems.
Every commercial refrigeration system should be selected according to calculated heat loads rather than estimates.
Factors considered include:
These same calculations are used when designing a new commercial cold room installation, ensuring that the evaporator, condensing unit and controls are properly matched to the application.
When refrigeration equipment is correctly sized, the system can:
For agricultural refrigeration, stable temperature control is critical for maintaining product quality and reducing unnecessary operational costs.
A similar capacity problem was corrected during our De Grendel restaurant cold room refrigeration upgrade, where an undersized system was replaced with equipment properly matched to the room and operating requirements.
The relocation of the condensing unit became one of the most important improvements within the project.
The original condenser location restricted airflow around the refrigeration equipment.
Glotech Group installed the new condenser outdoors, where unrestricted ventilation allows efficient heat rejection.
This improvement provides several benefits:
Correct condenser positioning is often overlooked, yet it has a significant influence on refrigeration performance. Regular cold room servicing and maintenance also helps identify blocked condensers, abnormal operating pressures, fan problems and restricted airflow before they result in system failure.
The project included:
Every stage followed Glotech Group’s commercial refrigeration engineering standards.
Following commissioning, the upgraded refrigeration system achieved the required +4°C operating temperature and maintained stable cooling throughout the cold room.
The nursery now benefits from:
By correcting the original design shortcomings, Glotech Group delivered a refrigeration system capable of supporting the nursery’s specialised blueberry production.
Fall Creek is internationally recognised for developing advanced blueberry genetics and supporting commercial growers around the world.
The company’s cold storage facilities play an important role in protecting plant material and maintaining product quality throughout production and distribution.
Reliable refrigeration is therefore an essential part of maintaining the high standards expected within global horticultural operations.
The completed project delivered:
Most importantly, the cold room now performs according to its original design requirements while supporting the client’s ongoing nursery operations.
With more than 15 years of experience, Glotech Group designs, installs, upgrades, repairs, and maintains commercial refrigeration systems across South Africa.
Our expertise includes:
Every refrigeration system is engineered according to the client’s products, operating temperatures, environmental conditions, and future operational requirements.
The Fall Creek Nursery project demonstrates the importance of correct refrigeration engineering. The original cold room did not fail because of its insulated structure but because the refrigeration system had been undersized and the condenser installed in a poorly ventilated location.
By replacing the ageing refrigeration equipment with a correctly sized FRIGA Slim Pack system and relocating the condenser to improve airflow, Glotech Group restored reliable +4°C performance while improving efficiency and long-term reliability.
For commercial nurseries, agricultural producers, food processors, and businesses that depend on precision temperature control, Glotech Group continues to deliver engineered commercial refrigeration solutions backed by more than 15 years of industry experience throughout South Africa.
View more commercial refrigeration case studies completed by Glotech Group for food producers, hospitality businesses, agricultural operations and industrial clients.
067 153 8332
info@glotechgroup.co.za
Glotech Group assesses, upgrades and replaces undersized commercial refrigeration systems for nurseries, farms, food producers and other temperature-sensitive businesses in Paarl and across the Western Cape.