1.7 Cu. Ft. ARES Cool Plus Series Freestanding Countertop Solid Door Laboratory Freezer, Manual Defrost, Left Hinged

Description

ARS-HC-UCFS-0120-LH – Product Highlights

• ARES Cool proprietary cold storage line, distributed exclusively by ARES Scientific with full warranty support across the laboratory and biomedical freezer category.
• Left-hinged solid swing door for installations where left-side wall clearance, side-by-side configuration with a right-hinged unit, or ergonomic considerations require reverse door swing.
• Manual defrost operation avoids the warm-cycle temperature spikes inherent to auto defrost units, preserving sample integrity for enzymes, reagents, and other materials with narrow temperature tolerances.
• Microprocessor temperature controller manages an average cycle temperature range of -15°C to -25°C with tighter precision than mechanical thermostat designs.
• Audible and visual temperature alarms via the controller provide immediate notification of excursions outside the configured operating window.
• Two adjustable shelves with guard rails protect stored materials from contacting the back wall, preserving airflow paths essential for temperature uniformity.
• HFC-free R600a hydrocarbon refrigerant meets sustainability targets and reduces global warming potential compared to legacy HFC refrigerants.
• ENERGY STAR certified with NEMA 5-15 plug conforming to UL 471 — supports energy-efficiency procurement criteria common in institutional purchasing.
• Probe access port (3/4-inch rear wall) and keyed door lock support data-logger integration and sample security for compliance-aware facilities.
• Two-year parts and labor warranty plus five-year compressor warranty; periodic manual defrost prevents severe ice build-up and 4-inch clearance is required on back and sides for ventilation.

Frequently Asked Questions – ARS-HC-UCFS-0120-LH

What is the ARS-HC-UCFS-0120-LH and when is it the right choice?

The UCFS-0120-LH is a 1.7 cu. ft. ARES Cool Plus Series countertop laboratory freezer with manual defrost and a left-hinged door. It fits installations where door hinge orientation matters (left-side wall clearance, paired side-by-side bank with the right-hinged UCFS-0120, or workflow ergonomics requiring rightward door swing) AND defrost-cycle temperature stability matters (enzyme storage, certain reagents, or any temperature-sensitive samples affected by brief warming events).

What is the practical difference between manual defrost and auto defrost in this size class?

Manual defrost units like the UCFS-0120-LH require periodic operator-driven defrosting but avoid the active heater cycles that auto defrost units use; auto defrost saves operator time but introduces brief temperature excursions during defrost that the data sheet explicitly notes can raise interior temperatures. For sensitive contents choose manual defrost; for higher-traffic general storage choose the auto defrost UCFS-0120A-LH.

How often does the UCFS-0120-LH need to be manually defrosted?

Defrost frequency varies with ambient humidity, door-open frequency, and load level; most facilities defrost every 3 to 6 months or when ice accumulates beyond approximately 1/4 inch on interior surfaces. The data sheet confirms that periodic defrosting is required to prevent severe ice build-up that degrades temperature performance and reduces usable storage volume.

Is the UCFS-0120-LH suitable for frozen vaccine storage?

The unit is a general-purpose laboratory freezer; CDC-aligned frozen vaccine storage typically uses purpose-built freezers with validated temperature stability and continuous monitoring, ideally certified to NSF/ANSI 456. For vaccine storage decisions consult our medical refrigerator and freezer selection guide and review the CDC Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit before committing inventory.

Can two UCFS-0120 units be installed side-by-side in opposing hinge configurations?

Yes — pairing a left-hinged UCFS-0120-LH with a right-hinged UCFS-0120 creates a “French door” effect where both doors swing outward away from the center, useful in side-by-side compounding-room installations or paired freezer banks. Each unit still requires 4 inches of clearance on its outer side and 4 inches on the back wall.

What sample-monitoring options are available for this freezer?

The rear wall 3/4-inch probe access port accommodates third-party data loggers, NIST-traceable temperature monitoring devices, or facility wireless/wired BMS sensors. Many laboratories pair the controller’s built-in audible/visual alarms with an external NIST-calibrated logger placed in a glycol bottle to simulate sample temperature, supporting compliance documentation for CAP, CLIA, or institutional QA programs.