FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s a summary of some of the most common questions we get asked around refrigerated vehicles, payloads and specialist operational requirements. If you can’t find the answer to your question on this page, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team for an informal chat.
Do I really need a Fridge Van?
If the goods being transported are in any way perishable or temperature sensitive (e.g. pharmaceuticals or chemical samples), the answer is definitely YES.
The majority of our clients operate in the food service industry, delivering fresh, chilled or frozen products to the catering and retail sectors. Most of them could not meet their customers’ requirements without running a fleet of fridge vans.
One of the largest providers of new fridge vans within the UK, we’ve been building fridge vans for more than 25 years. Today Celsius is focused on building high quality, future-proof fridge vans for fleet operators looking to minimise their emissions and maximise operational efficiencies.
How efficient is the material used for insulation in your conversions?
We developed our Polycore insulation material from scratch, working with suppliers across Europe to develop a unique patented system which is customised for a precision-fit for all makes and models of van. Made from recycled plastic bottles, Polycore is lightweight yet durable and its insulative properties have been tested and verified at our in-house temperature chamber. We also incorporate a unique modular door insulation system which dramatically reduces the loss of heat through traditional thermal bridges in the van door mechanism.
Celsius’ Polycore insulation system is perfectly suited to both diesel and electric refrigerated vehicles, providing a sustainable, future-proof solution for temperature-controlled fleet operators and logistics companies looking to reduce their emissions on the road to net zero.
What payloads do your vans offer?
At Celsius, we aim to make life easier for you. We look at the whole market and, using our vast experience of the temperature-controlled sector, select vans that we believe offer the best combination of quality, size, payload and operating efficiency.
We can convert anything from a compact 1-pallet Renault Kangoo – ideal for city-based and urban deliveries – to a 5-tonne long wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter that would suit wholesale food distribution over longer journeys.
Contact us on 0845 3311484 or email sales@celsiusconversions.co.uk for expert advice based on your specific needs.
What temperatures do your conversions operate at?
Food Safety legislation dictates that all food suppliers need to maintain both raw and cooked foodstuffs at less than 8 degrees centigrade, while frozen foods need to be kept at -18°C. For transportation of pharmaceutical goods, higher temperatures are often required – sometimes as high as +25°C to comply with these statutory requirements and meet customers’ specific needs, Celsius van conversions are designed to operate efficiently at between –25°C and +25°C for extended periods.
Our state-of-the-art temperature-controlled test chamber enables the team to conduct in-house testing of new insulation solutions and different refrigeration units across various vehicle manufacturers to ensure they meet these operating criteria.
Can you supply and fit specialist racking and shelving solutions?
Yes – we work with a range of specialist racking and shelving suppliers to offer both bespoke and modular solutions. We can also offer dual temperature solutions for combined chilled and frozen distribution.
Can you convert electric vans for refrigerated transport?
Yes – we worked with engineers at Warwick University and Siemens to develop a new lightweight approach to refrigerated vehicle construction specifically designed for use in electric vehicles.
This research was funded by the Government to accelerate the delivery of zero emission refrigerated vehicles to operate in urban environments where air quality is becoming a priority for local authorities.
Celsius has built a number of prototype electric fridge vans to gather operational and performance data before producing fully operational vehicles which are now in service with fleet operators across the UK.
Many of Celsius’ existing clients operate in the hospitality and food delivery sectors in the southeast of England where the charges of delivery into central London have increased significantly since the introduction of the Congestion Charge and the extension of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ).
What kind of warranty do you offer?
All our refrigeration equipment is supplied with standard manufacturer’s warranty which range from 12 to 24 months depending on the specific manufacturer. Our conversions are guaranteed for 36 months. Extended equipment and conversion warranties are available.
What are your lead times?
We use a streamlined manufacturing and installation process which employs Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD-CAM) to machine Polycore insulation panels for a precision-fitted system for each make and model of vehicle we convert.
This means our turnaround time is often lower than more conventional converters and in some cases we have been able to convert fully operational refrigerated vehicles in less than two weeks from initial order to delivery.
Get in touch with our friendly team for more detailed information on our current capacity and lead times.
Get in touch with our team
Celsius are experts at designing and installing bespoke conversions for specific operational demands. Speak to our friendly team for more details.