Downtime in commercial HVAC units could cost organizations hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in labor and maintenance repairs. Although HVAC units are designed to operate in all seasons, mechanical failures, power outages, and human error could cause frozen coils during an unexpected cold snap, which may require building owners to replace the entire system.
It’s essential to understand what causes frozen coils so you can take the necessary steps to prevent it from happening to your building.
How Exactly Does a Coil Freeze & Burst?
HVAC units use water and refrigerant to absorb heat, removing it from the building and providing cool indoor air. The primary method of travel for this coolant is through the HVAC system’s coils.
During sudden temperature drops, the water traveling through the coils can freeze. The built-up pressure created from the frozen coil eventually causes it to explode and pour liquid out of the unit like a busted fire hydrant.
Although it’s not recommended to do this, putting a Coke in the freezer is a good at-home science experiment to see the impact of a frozen coil. Over time, the water in the soda freezes and the pressure causes the can to explode.
1. Control Failures
Dampers in an HVAC system help control the amount of outdoor air let into the building. During certain seasons like fall and spring, dampers utilize outdoor air to cool a building and take the full load off the HVAC system. However, drastic temperature swings could allow freezing air into the building, causing coils to freeze and burst.
2. Central Plant Failures
Central HVAC plants are the heart of a building’s cooling and heating network. When outdoor temperatures drop, the central plant’s boiler produces hot water and sends it directly to the air handling units. However, control and pressure failures could prevent HVAC coils from receiving the heat they need to function, causing them to freeze.
3. Power Failures
HVAC systems, like all building components, run on electricity. Severe winter storms and other catastrophic events could cause massive power outages. Without power, buildings often shut down and succumb to outdoor temperatures, which may be cold enough to freeze HVAC coils.
4. Human Error
As stated, buildings often utilize outdoor air to reduce the HVAC system’s workload, allowing the building to reduce energy consumption. HVAC technicians might fail to adjust the system’s settings to cope with winter weather conditions. This costly mistake could cause the building’s temperature to drop significantly and potentially lead to frozen coils if not corrected soon.
How to Prevent Frozen Coils
Routine maintenance checks are crucial to ensure the building’s central plant and HVAC systems are in proper working order. However, mother nature is unpredictable, and frozen coils are still a threat even when you’ve done your due diligence.
The only way to achieve total peace of mind is through Cooney’s Freeze Block™ technology. Innovative and effective, the Cooney Freeze Block™ coil uses smart technology to sense sudden pressure changes and uses a relief valve to release fluid from the coil. Once the fluid has drained, the valve resets and the HVAC system avoids a costly coil rupture.
Contact an HVAC Equipment Expert Today
The labor, repair, and replacement costs associated with frozen coils far outweigh the cost of taking the necessary precautions to prevent it, like installing a Freeze Block™ coil. The water damage alone produces short-term costs of damaged equipment and long-term expenses for replacing molded floors and ceilings.
The peace of mind knowing that your HVAC system is safe from frozen coils is incomparable. The HVAC equipment team at Ketchum & Walton Co. understands your needs and can meet with you directly to see what solution best fits your situation.
Contact our commercial HVAC sales representatives today for a consultation.