Northstar Refrigeration, Inc.

10/20/2026

❄️ It’s CO₂sdays with Northstar Refrigeration! ❄️

What makes CO₂ refrigeration different to service?

CO₂ systems share many refrigeration fundamentals, but they also bring some unique service considerations, including:

🔹 Higher operating pressures
🔹 Specialized tools & components
🔹 Advanced controls & diagnostics
🔹 CO₂-specific service procedures

As more facilities and technicians work with natural refrigerants, understanding these differences helps support safe and reliable system performance.

Have questions about CO₂ refrigeration? Reach out to the Northstar Refrigeration team to learn more.

10/13/2026

❄️ It's CO₂sday at Northstar Refrigeration! ❄️

Advanced refrigeration technology requires specialized knowledge!

CO₂ refrigeration systems operate differently than many traditional systems, particularly when it comes to higher operating pressures, advanced controls, and specialized components.

That's why proper technician training is so important.
🔹 High-Pressure Safety – Understanding how to work safely with CO₂ systems.
🔹 Controls & Diagnostics – Identifying issues and keeping systems operating properly.
🔹 Specialized Equipment – Knowing the tools and components unique to CO₂ refrigeration.
🔹 Safe Service Practices – Following proper maintenance, repair, and startup procedures.

Proper training helps technicians work safely, troubleshoot effectively, and support dependable system performance.

At Northstar Refrigeration, we recognize the importance of having knowledgeable technicians behind today's advanced refrigeration systems.

Have questions about CO₂ refrigeration? Reach out to our team to learn more!

10/06/2026

❄️ CO₂sdays with Northstar Refrigeration ❄️
Transcritical vs. subcritical CO₂—what's the difference?
Both use CO₂ (R744) as the refrigerant, but the difference comes down to how the system operates relative to CO₂'s critical point.
❄️ Subcritical CO₂: During heat rejection, the refrigerant remains below its critical point, allowing CO₂ to condense from v***r into liquid. That's why these systems can use a condenser.
🌡️ Transcritical CO₂: During part of the cycle, the refrigerant operates above its critical point. Under those conditions, there is no traditional condensation during heat rejection, so a gas cooler is used instead.
This distinction helps explain why CO₂ refrigeration systems can have different components and operating strategies depending on the application and conditions.
While the terminology may sound complicated, the basic concept is simple: it all comes down to how CO₂ behaves relative to its critical point.
Have questions about CO₂ refrigeration or considering it for a future project? Connect with the Northstar Refrigeration team to start the conversation.

10/05/2026

🎉 Happy birthday to our Northstar team members celebrating in October!

We hope your birthday brings good company, plenty of cake, and time to enjoy your favorite things. Join us in sending our October crew some birthday wishes! 🎂

10/02/2026

Summer is over. But what did your HVAC system tell you while it was here?
Equipment that struggled during peak temperatures, recurring repairs, comfort problems, and aging systems can all provide clues about what belongs on next year's project list.
This week on Northstar University, we're looking at why fall is an ideal time to start planning future HVAC projects—from evaluating priorities and building budgets to engineering, equipment procurement, and scheduling installations around facility operations.
Because the best time to plan next summer's HVAC project isn't when the first hot day arrives.
👉 Read the full article: www.northstarhvacr.com/post/fall-is-a-smart-time-to-plan-next-years-projects

Northstar University graphic: Why Fall Is a Smart Time to Plan Next Year’s HVAC Projects, over Autumn picture

10/01/2026

🏆 Team Europe wins the 2026 Northstar Cup!

32 golfers. Two days. Three rounds. Employees, customers, friends, family, and a lot of great memories.
Europe defeated defending champion Team USA 17–11 to bring home the Cup!
Friday started in some serious fog at Orleans Country Club with 2v2 Alternate Shot, followed by lunch together and an afternoon Four-Man Scramble.
And then we got a Northstar Cup first...
⛳ HOLE-IN-ONE! Ed Rice aced the 13th from 141 yards with a 9-iron, witnessed by Brad Brothers, Michael Hale, and Andrew Spinale.
Europe finished Day 1 up 7–5 before 28 of us descended on a packed The Gap Pub. Somehow, their team kept the chaos under control and got everyone fed and watered!
Then it was off to the Crystal Saloon, where we were greeted with plenty of high-fives. Pictures included as evidence. 🙌
Saturday's 1v1 Match Play at St. Johnsbury Country Club produced plenty more highlights:
⭐ Ben Libbey and Brad Brothers joined the Three-Point Club, both going a perfect 3–0 for Europe.
🇺🇸 Anthony Townsend made his Cup debut, with three generations of Townsends representing Team USA.
🏌️ Paul Sylvestro and Garrett Steinbuchel pulled off a huge opening-round upset over Michael Hale and Nick Phillips in Alternate Shot.
Europe took 10 points Saturday to secure the 17–11 victory.
The Northstar Cup has become about much more than golf. It's about bringing employees, customers, friends, and family together, strengthening relationships, and creating stories we'll be talking about for years.

🏆 Congratulations to Team Europe, your 2026 Northstar Cup Champions!

09/29/2026

❄️ CO₂sdays with Northstar Refrigeration ❄️

A new CO₂ refrigeration system is installed—but before it's ready for normal operation, there's another critical step: commissioning.
Commissioning is the process of verifying that the system has been installed correctly, its components and controls are functioning as intended, and the equipment can operate safely and reliably.
While the exact process varies by system, commissioning can include:
🔍 System Inspection — Reviewing equipment, piping, valves, electrical components, and installation details.
🧪 Pressure & Leak Testing — Verifying system integrity before normal operation.
🖥️ Controls & Safety Verification — Confirming sensors, alarms, safeties, and control sequences respond properly.
⚙️ Startup & Adjustment — Bringing equipment online methodically and adjusting operating parameters as needed.
📊 Performance Verification — Monitoring system operation and confirming that it performs according to the intended design.
Commissioning isn't simply about turning the system on. It's an important step between installation and long-term operation that helps identify issues, optimize performance, and prepare the system for reliable service.
Planning a CO₂ refrigeration project? Connect with the Northstar Refrigeration team to learn more about system installation, startup, and commissioning.

09/25/2026

You prepared for the storm. What should you check once it passes? ⛈️🔧
After severe weather, getting back to normal operations isn't always as simple as confirming that the power is on and the equipment is running.
Water intrusion, debris, power interruptions, equipment alarms, and other issues may not be immediately obvious.
This week on Northstar University, we're sharing a post-storm checklist for facility managers, from inspecting outdoor HVAC equipment and reviewing controls to checking refrigeration temperatures and documenting anything that's changed.
Because once the storm passes, it's worth making sure your building systems are ready to return to normal too.
👉 Read the full article: www.northstarhvacr.co

Northstar University graphic: After the Storm: What Facility Managers Should Check Before Returning to Normal Operations, over storm clouds

09/25/2026

A rainy, windy weekend is headed our way. 🌧️

For facility teams, a few checks before the storm can make a big difference:

• Check accessible drains and areas where water tends to collect.
• Secure loose items around outdoor equipment.
• Confirm your backup power plan and emergency contacts.
• Make sure someone knows how to report equipment alarms or changes in building conditions.

Once the storm passes, take note of any new leaks, alarms, or equipment that isn’t operating normally. Catching an issue early can help prevent a bigger disruption.

Stay safe this weekend, New England!

09/22/2026

❄️ CO₂sdays with Northstar Refrigeration ❄️

What happens to a CO₂ refrigeration system when the power goes out?

When power is lost, the refrigeration system stops operating—but heat can continue entering the system. As the CO₂ warms, system pressure can begin to rise.

That's why power-loss conditions are an important consideration in CO₂ system design.

Depending on the application, protection strategies may include:

🛡️ Pressure-rated components designed for appropriate operating and standby pressures
⚙️ Pressure management strategies incorporated into the system design
🚨 Safety relief devices that provide protection against excessive pressure
🔋 Backup systems, where installed, to support critical equipment or controls

A power outage doesn't automatically mean there's a problem. The key is designing the system from the beginning with abnormal operating conditions—and the resulting pressure changes—in mind.

Proper engineering, controls, and safety planning all play a role in protecting a CO₂ system when the unexpected happens.

Have questions about CO₂ system design or planning for a future refrigeration project? Connect with the Northstar Refrigeration team to start the conversation.