They can be used for a wide range of applications, with the units remaining in operation for many years. Whether you need to store vaccines and medicines or valuable tissue samples and chemicals, our five tips will help you get the most out of your ULT freezer.
1. Save costs and energy by operating your ultra low temperature freezer at -70 °C.
Stanford University estimates that ULT freezers can consume almost as much energy per year as a single-family home. By raising the temperature of your freezer just a little, you can save more than 20 percent energy and extend your unit’s service life at the same time.
However, please note that some samples need to be stored at a specific temperature. Make sure that your samples can be safely stored at -70°C before increasing the temperature.
2. Make sure that your freezer’s temperature monitor and alarm are working properly.
Given that you cannot refreeze vaccines and that other products are destroyed during the thawing process, you must equip your ultra low temperature freezer with a suitable alarm and temperature monitor. Invest in the right device to best protect your samples.
3. Take extra care of freezers and temperature monitors.
Like all laboratory equipment, ultra low temperature freezers require appropriate care and maintenance. BINDER recommends having your units maintained professionally once a year. The maintenance tasks should include the following:
- Checking the door hinges and the unit for signs of wear and tear
- Checking for excessive ice build-up each time the door is opened and removing it if necessary
4. Make sure your freezer is equipped with access control.
Protect your sensitive samples by choosing an ultra low temperature freezer that allows you to control access to the unit.
5. Prepare for emergencies.
Despite the best maintenance and care, it is not possible to completely prevent unit failures. It is therefore essential to prepare for such emergencies with adequate safety precautions to prevent you from losing your samples. CO2 backup cooling with a battery-backed alarm system is a good solution to protect your samples in the event of a unit failure.