Refrigeration Units for Cold Rooms: Monobloc or Split – Which Should You Choose?

Why Choosing the Right Refrigeration Unit for Your Cold Room Matters

The cold room is the heart of any food store, restaurant, or processing facility. Whether you're storing meat, dairy, vegetables, or ready-to-eat products, maintaining a correct and consistent temperature means food safety and minimal product losses. But before installing a cold room, you need to answer one essential question: which type of refrigeration unit should you use – monobloc or split? The wrong choice can mean higher operating costs, excessive noise, or frequent technical interventions.

The Monobloc Unit – Simple, Fast, Compact

The monobloc unit integrates the compressor, condenser, and evaporator into a single assembly. It is typically mounted on the exterior wall of the cold room, passing through a simple cut-out in the panel.

Advantages of the Monobloc Unit

• Quick and simple installation – no complex refrigeration work is required; an authorised technician can commission it within a few hours.
• Lower initial cost – both the equipment and the installation labour are generally more affordable.
• Easy maintenance – all components are accessible from a single point.
• Suitable for small and medium-sized spaces – cold rooms of up to 20–25 m³ work excellently with a properly sized monobloc unit.

Disadvantages of the Monobloc Unit

• Limited cooling capacity – not recommended for very large volumes.
• Perceptible noise inside or in the immediate vicinity of the cold room.
• Requires an exterior wall or a properly ventilated area for heat dissipation.

The Split Unit – Performance and Flexibility

In a split system, the condensing unit (compressor and condenser) is located away from the cold room – on a rooftop, in a plant room, or outdoors – while the cooling unit (evaporator) remains inside the cold room. The two units are connected by refrigerant pipework.

Advantages of the Split Unit

• Greater cooling capacity – ideal for large-volume cold rooms (over 20–25 m³) or those with high thermal loads.
• Lower noise levels in the working area, as the compressor is located away from staff and customers.
• Flexibility in placement – the outdoor unit can be installed at a considerable distance from the cold room.
• Superior energy efficiency when the system is correctly sized and uses a modern refrigerant.

Disadvantages of the Split Unit

• More complex and costly installation – requires an authorised refrigeration engineer, copper pipework, silver brazing, and vacuum evacuation.
• Higher initial cost compared to an equivalent monobloc unit.
• More difficult technical interventions in the event of pipework faults.

How to Choose Between Monobloc and Split

The decision depends on several practical factors that every shop owner or HoReCa operator should evaluate:

• Cold room volume – below 20 m³, a monobloc unit is usually sufficient; above this threshold, a split system is recommended.
• Frequency of door openings – the more often the cold room is accessed, the greater the cooling capacity you will need.
• Type of products stored – fresh meat requires very precise temperatures (0/+2 °C), while milk and cheeses tolerate somewhat wider ranges.
• Available budget – both for the initial investment and for long-term operating costs.
• Available technical space – if you do not have an exterior wall or a heat dissipation area, the split system becomes the only viable option.

Cold Rooms and Display Fridges – A Complete Solution at Modaco

At Modaco, you will find modular cold rooms with monobloc or split refrigeration units, sized for food stores, restaurants, hotels, and production facilities. Cold rooms can be ordered in the desired configuration, and installation is carried out on request, at an additional cost, by specialised technical teams.

Complete your storage space with a suitable display fridge. Modaco imports a wide range of upright and horizontal display fridges, including ventilated display fridges for fresh meat with an adjustable temperature between 0 and +8 °C – for fresh meat, the temperature is typically set to 0/+2 °C, ensuring product freshness and safety. In addition, at its own workshop in Găești, Modaco manufactures horizontal display fridges in the VF1000, VF1000D, and VFX1000 series, also available to order in the dimensions required by the customer.

Products available in stock can be delivered within 24–48 hours. Cold rooms and equipment ordered on request are delivered within 15–25 working days. Shipping costs are calculated upon order completion. Orders can also be collected directly from the warehouse in Găești, Strada Libertății 15, by prior appointment.

Contact Modaco for a Personalised Quote

Not sure which type of refrigeration unit suits your space or what capacity you need? Modaco's specialists can help you choose the right solution, tailored to your volume, product type, and available budget. Call now on 0727.324.787 and receive free technical advice on the cold room or display fridge that is right for your business.