Do you have frozen coils?

One of the leading causes of coil failure is freeze damage. The unexpected Polar Vortex that hit most of the country this past winter, has me thinking about the freeze-thaw cycle. Just when does an HVAC system switch from heating to cooling? It all depends on where you live. As much of the country moves toward air conditioning season, this is the perfect time to see whether there are busted, damaged or leaking coils in your commercial HVAC system.

What types of coils might suffer from freeze damage? Evaporator coils and condenser coils are both at risk for freeze damage. There are several factors that cause these coils to freeze, including insufficient airflow, low levels of refrigerant, and a thermostat that is set too low.

We also see a lot of steam coils that need replaced due to freeze damage, since a steam coil can freeze if it lacks proper drainage of the condensate. Steam distributing coils, given the nickname “Non-freeze” steam coils, can still freeze if cold protection is not considered.

Chilled water coils and hot water coils often use glycol to prevent freezing, but if the concentration of glycol is insufficient, these coils can also suffer from freeze damage.

So, what is the solution to frozen coils? While some people try to patch coils, the capacity and performance go down significantly after every attempted repair. It is easier and faster to get a replacement coil rather than trying a temporary fix. Emergent Coils has custom and standard coils available to make sure your HVAC system is ready for summer. Call us today for a free quote.