Posts Tagged ‘refrigeration-iq’

Smarter Refrigeration Controls Start Here

Monday, May 12th, 2025

Intelligent. Efficient. Innovative. Refrigeration-IQ™ represents a new era of refrigeration control—where simplicity meets advanced performance. At Egan Company, it’s not about adding complexity, but about rethinking the standard to make systems smarter, more efficient, and more intuitive from the ground up. We had the chance to sit down with  Dan Reintjes, Industrial Controls Project Manager and Tim Leahy, Industrial Controls Operations Supervisor for an inside look at  everything you need to know about refrigeration controls.

Refrigeration-IQ

What Are Refrigeration Controls and Why Do They Matter?
Refrigeration controls are the systems that manage and regulate how commercial and industrial refrigeration equipment operates. From keeping food safe in massive distribution centers to maintaining precise temperatures in pharmaceutical facilities, these controls ensure everything runs efficiently, reliably, and within strict temperature ranges. It can include sensors, control panels, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), remote monitoring, and energy management tools—all working together to help facilities reduce waste, avoid costly breakdowns, and optimize performance.

At the center of this evolution is Egan Company’s Refrigeration Controls team, a group known for its deep expertise and hands-on approach. With decades of combined experience, Leahy and Reintjes have helped shape some of the most advanced refrigeration projects across the country.

“We don’t just install a system and move on,” said Reintjes. “We’re thinking about what makes sense for your operators, your equipment, and your long-term goals. We want to leave you with something you understand and can manage—something you own.”

Empowering Operators from Day One
That idea of ownership is central to how Egan designs its Refrigeration-IQ™ systems. Built on an open platform, customers are given full transparency and control—no proprietary lock-ins, no excessive service fees, and no need to go back to the manufacturer for changes. “We’re giving customers the keys,” Leahy said. “Other contractors don’t do that. We want them to have the power to make changes or fixes without going through hoops.”

Refrigeration-IQ

Designed to Fit – Not Force
From brand-new installations to complex retrofits, every system is tailored to the site, operators, and existing infrastructure. Often built and tested in-house, Egan’s solutions are delivered with minimal disruption—even in fully operational facilities.

“In some installs, we didn’t need to shut anything down,” said Reintjes. “It’s about making upgrades seamless.” A standout example? A nationwide rollout of 23 modular refrigeration skids for a confidential distribution client. Every unit was pre-wired, pre-tested, and delivered ready to plug in and power up.

But the team’s real advantage came well before equipment hit the jobsite. “We start every project with boots on the ground,” said Leahy. “Not just quoting off drawings—but walking the space, asking the right questions, and designing for how the system will actually be used.”

Support That Stays
Even after systems go live, support doesn’t stop. Egan’s team provides 24/7 troubleshooting, remote diagnostics, and ongoing optimization. Whether dealing with legacy systems or facilities without documentation, they’re ready to dive in—rewiring, rebuilding, and restoring full functionality with limited downtime.

“We’ve worked in places where nothing was labeled, and nothing had been touched in 30 years,” said Reintjes. “Those jobs don’t intimidate us. That’s where experience really shows.”

Efficiency at the Core
Beyond functionality, Egan’s approach helps customers reduce energy use, prolong equipment life, and cut costs—often without major overhauls. “If a system is running more compressors than necessary, we’ll scale it back,” said Reintjes. “We’ve helped customers avoid energy peaks, lower their utility bills, and run leaner.” And everything—from panel design to programming to construction within Egan’s UL 508A Panel Shop—is fully documented and handed over to the client. It’s a level of transparency that makes long-term system management easier and more cost-effective. For customers looking to modernize, expand, or simply gain more control over their systems, Egan offers more than just installation—they offer partnership.

“We’re here from the first walkthrough to long after the system is up and running,” said Leahy. “Because smarter refrigeration isn’t just about hardware—it’s about the people who use it every day.”

The Role of Refrigeration Controls in Food Safety Compliance

Tuesday, February 11th, 2025

Commercial and industrial food manufacturing, handling, and storage requires strict compliance with FDA regulations. Controlling the environment and processes in which food is handled is critical in maintaining compliance as well as preventing spoilage, contamination, and broader health hazards. The refrigeration controls within an industrial food manufacturing facility serve an important role in ensuring quality control and safety for employees and consumers who come in contact with the food. 

TEMPERATURE CONTROL

Maintaining consistent temperatures is one of the most important factors in ensuring food safety and quality within manufacturing and food storage facilities. Custom refrigeration controls enable greater control over the temperature systems, leading to consistency in temperature and in turn, reliably safe and high-quality products. 

Advanced features in Egan’s Refrigeration-IQ™ controls provide tools that can further track temperatures and system health. Leak detection, alarm notifications, and remote access capabilities allow operators to prevent issues and address concerns before they escalate. Technicians are also able to access the industrial refrigeration controls without needing to visit the facility, enabling a faster response time and more efficient troubleshooting. 

PREVENTING HEALTH HAZARDS

Outdated or poorly maintained refrigeration systems can lead to significant risks, including public health hazards and plant shutdowns. Well-maintained and operated refrigeration controls can help prevent concerns such as spoilage and contamination. If your system goes down unexpectedly, the risk for destroyed goods, lost capital, and extended plant shutdowns increases. By monitoring temperature fluctuations and equipment malfunctions, Egan’s Refrigeration-IQ™ controls make it easy to  maintain food safety compliance and maximize your facility’s uptime. 

PUTTING HEALTH, SAFETY, AND QUALITY FIRST

Upgrading refrigeration systems and controls can make all the difference in maintaining food safety compliance within your food manufacturing and storage facility. Modern systems such as Egan’s Refrigeration-IQ™ controls provide precise temperature management, leak detection, alarm notifications, and remote access, which preserve the integrity of perishable goods. Find greater control over your facility and partner with a team of refrigeration experts. Get in touch with Egan’s industrial refrigeration team to learn how you can integrate new controls in your facility. 

Are You Due to Upgrade Your Industrial Refrigeration Systems?

Thursday, October 24th, 2024

Maintaining the quality and value of manufactured and stored goods within industrial facilities and warehouses requires top technology and well-run systems. When an industrial refrigeration system becomes outdated, operators and building managers risk spoiling their products and falling behind. By inspecting and upgrading industrial refrigeration systems and controls, manufacturers and industrial warehouses can keep their operations under control and maximize efficiency. 

SIGNS OF OUTDATED REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS

If a refrigeration control system uses obsolete parts, then fixing or replacing the components becomes increasingly difficult and costly. Older industrial refrigeration systems tend to require more energy to operate, which leads to higher energy costs and demands on the equipment. If you notice increased bills over time, consider upgrading the refrigeration system and controls with more energy efficient solutions. Additionally, more frequent maintenance and repairs on industrial refrigeration equipment tends to indicate you’re due for an upgrade. Updating the systems can prevent excessive costs down the line. 

BENEFITS OF UPGRADED REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS

By investing in a new refrigeration control system, industrial warehouses and manufacturing facilities can enhance the efficiency and production of their operations. Modern refrigeration control systems can be integrated with the entire facility, giving you greater control of the building and operating systems. Custom Refrigeration-IQ™ controls can meet the specific requirements of individual facilities, providing automation solutions and smart controls that increase energy efficiency, allow building technology to work together, and reduce maintenance costs.

UPGRADE YOUR REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS

Refrigeration-IQ™ controls from Egan Company feature a host of benefits, including control optimization for energy and water consumption savings, load sharing configurations to prolong equipment life, and intuitive interface for streamlined operations. The user-friendly software is custom-designed based on your facility’s needs, then integrated into a control panel built in our 25,000 square foot UL 508A Panel Shop in Champlin, Minn. 

When it’s time to upgrade your refrigeration system, consider how Egan’s Refrigeration-IQ™ controls can help optimize your facility and improve the way you control your systems. Get in touch with our refrigeration experts and system integrators to learn more. 

Improve Energy Efficiency in Your Refrigeration Systems

Monday, September 16th, 2024

The energy used to operate industrial refrigeration systems account for approximately 5.7% of the total industrial energy consumption in the United States according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Industrial facilities require significant energy demands, which can affect the costs of running the facility, as well as impacting the carbon footprint of the company. When it comes to refrigeration systems, maintaining peak performance is critical to ensure the quality and efficiency of the products and goods being held within the facility, and energy efficiency may not be at the top of mind for system operators. However, implementing energy efficiency strategies can reduce operating costs, improve the carbon footprint of the facility, and optimize the way the systems are run. 

IDENTIFY INEFFICIENCIES WITH ENERGY AUDITS

Conducting regular energy audits can help identify areas within your facility that can be upgraded. Analyzing your refrigeration system’s patterns, energy consumption, and overall operational health is the first step to enhancing the way the system is run. Working with Egan’s industrial refrigeration experts and UL 508A Panel Shop ensures that nothing is missed in a system audit, and can help establish plans to improve the energy efficiency within your facility. 

UPGRADE TO ENERGY-EFFICIENT EQUIPMENT

Once energy efficiency opportunities have been identified through an energy audit, consider upgrading your equipment to maximize the efficiency within your facility. Newer refrigeration systems are designed to consume less energy while delivering optimal performance, resulting in significant cost savings over time. Energy efficient industrial refrigeration systems are becoming industry standard and operate at the same or better performance than older equipment. With increased performance at reduced operating costs, energy efficient industrial refrigeration systems can make a significant difference in the way facilities are run.

IMPLEMENT SMART CONTROLS AND AUTOMATION

Whether you are updating legacy systems, overhauling your entire refrigeration systems, or are looking for small upgrades to improve efficiency, smart controls and system automation technology can help. Custom refrigeration controls, like Egan’s Refrigeration-IQTM, enable operators to monitor and adjust energy consumption in real-time, improving the energy consumption of the system without compromising performance. Additionally, automation can integrate within your facility to adjust throughout the day. Configuring day/night settings, defrost cycles, and other adjustments can improve the way your system runs. Rather than equipment running at full capacity 24/7, automatically adjusting the settings can optimize the way the whole facility works. 

IMPROVE YOUR FACILITY’S REFRIGERATION OPERATIONS

Prioritizing energy efficiency not only benefits the bottom line but also contributes to a more environmentally friendly operation. Facility operators can configure custom settings based on their specific needs and system requirements, so the refrigeration equipment utilizes only the energy necessary to ensure product quality and safety. 

Find industrial refrigeration solutions that work for you with Refrigeration-IQTM controls from Egan Company. Our UL 508A Panel Shop in Champlin, Minn. can design and manufacture custom control panels that meet your needs. From system design to project commissioning, our CIRO certified engineers can work with you to improve the energy efficiency within your facility. Get in touch with Egan’s refrigeration experts to learn how to maximize the performance of your industrial refrigeration system.

How Remote Access Can Decrease Refrigeration Systems Downtime

Tuesday, August 6th, 2024

In fast-paced industries that require reliable refrigeration system operations, maintaining uptime is crucial. When unexpected issues arise, identifying and troubleshooting the problem quickly can keep your business up and running with minimal downtime or disruptions. Every moment counts, which is why remote access and technology for industrial refrigeration control systems can help reduce downtime and provide greater control over your facility. 

ENHANCED MONITORING AND TROUBLESHOOTING

With remote access capabilities integrated within your refrigeration control systems, overseeing your equipment and facility is easy, intuitive, and allows for greater oversight into how your equipment is running. Remote monitoring technology gives users real-time insights and updates into their refrigeration systems, regardless of physical location. This allows facility managers and technicians to quickly and easily identify potential issues, diagnose problems, and begin repairs and adjustments without delays. 

Regular maintenance and equipment inspections can extend the life of your equipment. Remote access refrigeration controls improves the efficiency of regular equipment maintenance, by providing technicians regular access to the status of your system. By working around physical barriers of travel and timely inspections in-person, remote refrigeration controls allow service techs to remotely monitor the status of the refrigeration systems and identify maintenance needs or potential problems more regularly than if they had to visit your facility. Implementing a regular refrigeration maintenance program can help maximize the uptime and lifespan of your equipment, helping to avoid costly emergency repairs. 

ALARMS AND NOTIFICATIONS

Built-in alarm systems alert users of any malfunctions within their refrigeration equipment. From leak detection to emergency notifications, alarm systems can help notify operators about their refrigeration controls and help get ahead to reduce unexpected downtime. With remote access, authorized team members can receive instant notifications and respond promptly to alarms. Troubleshooting emergency situations with refrigeration equipment can be expedited thanks to remote access and alarm capabilities. 

KEEP YOUR REFRIGERATION SYSTEM RUNNING

Incorporate remote access capabilities into your refrigeration control systems and decrease downtime in your facility. With greater oversight, monitoring, troubleshooting, and alarm features, facility managers and technicians can achieve more control and uptime for their refrigeration systems. Embrace remote refrigeration controls and optimize the performance and reliability of your new or legacy systems. Egan Company can help design, build, install, and maintain your industrial refrigeration systems with our Refrigeration-IQ™ controls. Connect with our team today to learn more.