About Sub-Zero
Sub-Zero's story begins in 1945 when Westye Bakke built a freezer in his Madison, Wisconsin basement. His vision was simple but revolutionary: create a home freezer that performed as well as commercial units. That basement innovation led to a company that has defined luxury refrigeration for nearly eight decades.
The dual compressor system that Sub-Zero pioneered remains their signature technology. By using separate compressors for the refrigerator and freezer, Sub-Zero eliminates the transfer of odors and moisture between compartments while maintaining more precise temperatures in each section. This technology costs more to manufacture, but the results in food preservation are measurable—Sub-Zero claims their units can keep food fresh up to twice as long as conventional refrigerators.
Sub-Zero's commitment to domestic manufacturing continues today. Every Sub-Zero refrigerator is assembled in the United States, with most production occurring in Wisconsin. This commitment to American manufacturing, combined with their 20+ year product life expectancy, has made Sub-Zero the refrigeration choice for discerning homeowners who want lasting quality.
Sub-Zero in Arizona
Arizona presents unique challenges for any refrigeration system, and Sub-Zero's engineering responds well to these demands—when properly maintained. The dual compressor system handles temperature recovery effectively, even when summer temperatures push well above 110°F. However, the desert environment requires attention to maintenance that might be unnecessary in more temperate climates. The primary Arizona challenge for Sub-Zero units is condenser coil maintenance. The fine desert dust common to the Phoenix metro clogs condenser coils faster than in humid climates where dust particles are larger and heavier. Sub-Zero recommends cleaning condenser coils once or twice annually; in Arizona, we recommend quarterly cleaning during the hot months. We've also observed that monsoon season creates specific challenges. The sudden humidity spikes can affect Sub-Zero's air purification and dehumidification systems, occasionally causing temporary condensation issues. Power fluctuations during storms can affect electronic controls. Many of our Arizona Sub-Zero clients have installed whole-house surge protection after experiencing control board failures following electrical events.