---
title: Walk-In Cooler Start-Up Checklist for Schools | RDT
description: Restarting your school's walk-ins after summer? Get RDT's Smart Start-Up steps and the warning signs to watch for.
image: https://solutions.rdtonline.com/hubfs/rdt%20free%20school%20energy%20study.jpg
---

[![RTD Horizontal White](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RTD%20Horizontal%20White.png?width=9861&height=3327&name=RTD%20Horizontal%20White.png "RTD Horizontal White")](https://rdtonline.com/)

# Restart your school's walk-ins the right way.

### A walk-in that sat idle all summer is under the most stress on the day you restart it. Get your start-up questions answered by an RDT expert, the industry leaders in foodservice refrigeration and freezing.

## ![School foodservice staff member checking the control panel beside a walk-in cooler door in a commercial school kitchen](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/rdt%20free%20school%20energy%20study.jpg?width=567&height=567&name=rdt%20free%20school%20energy%20study.jpg)

#### RDT's Tech Support can walk you through your start-up before the first lunch service or answer any other questions about your school refrigeration system.

- **Guidance on the right setpoint and cool-down pace for your restart**
- **What to check on your condenser coils before start-up**
- **The warning signs that mean you should call us first**
- **The latest in energy regulations and industry updates**
- **And more**

 

### DOWNLOAD THE STARTUP GUIDE

[![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsolutions.rdtonline.com%2Fschool-walk-in-start-up%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsolutions.rdtonline.com%2Fschool-walk-in-start-up%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fsolutions.rdtonline.com%2Fschool-walk-in-start-up%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fsolutions.rdtonline.com%2Fschool-walk-in-start-up%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Walk-In%20Cooler%20Start-Up%20Checklist%20for%20Schools%20%7C%20RDT) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsolutions.rdtonline.com%2Fschool-walk-in-start-up%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fsolutions.rdtonline.com%2Fschool-walk-in-start-up%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fsolutions.rdtonline.com%2Fschool-walk-in-start-up%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail)

### **Timing**

Keep the walk-in running at 50° over break, or restart early and cool down slowly. An RDT tech can tell you which one fits your building.

### **Start-Up**

Clean the condenser coils, start the system in the evening, and bring the box down to 40° overnight. We'll walk you through the order.

### **Warning Signs**

Strange noises, a room that won't drop temperature, and a compressor sitting still while the condenser fan runs. Know which ones mean call us.

© 2026 Refrigeration Design Technologies, Inc.