True Refrigeration:
Repair, Service & Installation
True Manufacturing is the most common commercial refrigeration brand in Bay Area restaurants — and for good reason. But compressors wear out, door gaskets fail, thermostats drift, and evaporator fans burn up. We repair, maintain, and install the full True product line: reach-ins, freezers, prep tables, sandwich units, merchandisers, and underbar coolers.
What We Do for True Equipment
Specialized repair and maintenance for the complete True Manufacturing product line — from single-door reach-ins to multi-section merchandisers.
Compressor & Refrigerant Repair
True units use Tecumseh, Embraco, and Danfoss compressors depending on model and vintage. We diagnose compressor failures, refrigerant leaks, clogged cap tubes, and overheating issues. Compressor replacement on a True reach-in: $600–$1,200 including R-134a or R-290 charge. Leak repair: $200–$600.
Door Gaskets & Hardware
Worn gaskets are the most common True repair we do — and the most cost-effective. A failing gasket forces the compressor to run constantly, doubling energy consumption and shortening unit life. We stock True gaskets for T-23, T-49, TWT, TSSU, GDM, and other popular series. Gasket replacement: $80–$250 per door.
Temperature & Thermostat Issues
Unit not holding temperature? We check thermostat calibration, temperature controller operation, defrost timer settings, and evaporator fan function. True’s electronic controllers (on newer models) occasionally fail and need replacement ($150–$400). Mechanical thermostats on older models drift out of calibration.
Evaporator & Condenser Service
Evaporator fan motor replacement ($100–$300), defrost heater service, evaporator coil cleaning, and condenser coil cleaning. True units with bottom-mount compressors collect grease and dust on the condenser rapidly in restaurant environments — quarterly condenser cleaning is essential.
New True Installation
Delivery coordination, uncrating, leveling, electrical connection, temperature verification, and commissioning. We ensure proper clearance for airflow (True requires 3” minimum on sides and top for bottom-mount units), verify voltage, and confirm the unit reaches operating temperature before leaving.
Preventive Maintenance
Condenser cleaning, gasket inspection, temperature calibration, drain line clearing, door hinge adjustment, and fan motor check. True recommends quarterly condenser cleaning in commercial kitchens. See maintenance plans.
True Refrigeration in the Bay Area: What Restaurant Owners Need to Know
True Manufacturing equipment accounts for roughly 40% of our commercial refrigeration service calls across San Jose, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, and Santa Cruz. True builds solid, American-made units with a well-deserved reputation for durability. But even the best equipment needs service — especially in Bay Area restaurant kitchens where ambient temperatures near cooking equipment can exceed 100°F.
The most common pattern we see: a True reach-in or prep table starts running warm, the kitchen staff adjusts the thermostat colder, the compressor runs longer hours, and within 6–12 months the compressor burns out. The root cause was usually a dirty condenser coil or worn door gasket — a $100–$250 fix that turned into a $600–$1,200 compressor replacement because it wasn’t caught early.
True Product Lines We Service
T-Series (solid-door reach-in refrigerators and freezers — T-23, T-35, T-49, T-72), TWT/TUC Series (worktop and undercounter units), TSSU/TFP Series (sandwich/salad and food prep tables), GDM Series (glass-door merchandisers — the most popular deli/convenience store cooler in the market), TBB/TDD Series (back bar and direct draw beer coolers), TBR Series (bar refrigerators), and STR/STA Series (spec-line and roll-through units for high-volume operations).
True vs Other Brands
True units cost 15–30% more than budget brands like Beverage-Air or Arctic Air, but they consistently last 12–15+ years vs 7–10 for economy units. True’s thick cabinet insulation (2.5”+ polyurethane), heavy-gauge stainless, and hydrocarbon-rated compressors justify the premium for operations that plan to keep equipment long-term. We service all brands, but we recommend True for any operation looking for lowest total cost of ownership over 10+ years.
True Refrigerator Not Cooling?
Running warm, compressor won’t start, ice buildup, water on the floor — use our free diagnostic tool.
Try Diagnostic ToolTrue Refrigeration Service Questions
True Refrigeration Service Across 3 Bay Area Counties
We service True refrigeration equipment in restaurants, bars, delis, convenience stores, and commercial kitchens throughout Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz counties.
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Reach-ins, freezers, prep tables, merchandisers, underbar coolers. Repair, maintenance, installation. Same-day service available.