HVAC Water Treatment: Everything You Need to Know

HVAC systems use water as a heat transfer fluid. Water is necessary but can create expensive problems throughout your system. HVAC water treatment engineering exists to properly treat water so your system can run safely, efficiently, and sustainably.

HVAC water treatment protects your equipment, increases energy efficiency, ensures indoor air quality, and keeps you compliant. It exists to manage three problems commonly associated with water: corrosion, scale, and microbiological growth.

No matter the application or the make-up of your system water without treatment equals big problems. HVAC water treatment solves three common challenges that can cause headaches when left unchecked. Corrosion occurs when water and metal meet. Corrosion causing elements such as dissolved oxygen, pH issues, and aggressive ions attack metals such as pipes, heat exchangers, boilers, and shorten equipment life causing leaks and failure. Scale consists of minerals left behind after water evaporates or is heated. Calcium carbonate is the most common form of scale that builds upon heat transfer surfaces. One tenth of an inch of scale lowers efficiency leading to higher energy costs, unnecessary pump loads, overheating, and shutdowns. Bacteria thrive in warm areas with moisture. Legionella, algae, and fungi can grow throughout your HVAC system. These microbes use each other to build biofilms that can hurt system performance and spread harmful illnesses through your air distribution.

Methods of HVAC Water Treatment

Chemical and Non-Chemical treatment methods can and should be used together to combat the three primary challenges within your HVAC water system. Specific treatment methods will vary depending on your system type and water quality.

Chemical Treatment of HVAC Water Systems

Chemical treatment is typically the first line of defense for your HVAC water treatment. It combats corrosion, scale, and microbiological challenges with the right mixture of chemicals.

Corrosion inhibitors are applied to metal surfaces to prevent the corrosive reaction from occurring. Scale dispersants and inhibitors are often used in areas with hard water to keep minerals suspended in the water and not deposited onto surfaces. Biocides kill certain classes of microbes including Legionella to keep your water safe. pH adjusters are used to manipulate pH levels to ideal points which deter corrosion and scale.

Non-Chemical Treatment of HVAC Water Systems

Non-chemical treatment can be used in place of or to supplement chemical treatment. This makes them ideal for applications where chemicals cannot be used. Filtered water removes solids that cause difficulties with treatment and improves the effectiveness of your treatment program. Electromagnetic and electrostatic treatment changes the crystalline structure of minerals to prevent scale. Oxygen scavengers remove oxygen from closed-loop systems.

Treatment methods can vary depending on the type of HVAC water system you have. Closed-loop systems contain water that does not come in contact with the surrounding atmosphere. These systems require treatment that focuses on corrosion and microbiological control. Passivation is also very important for new systems. Open-loop systems use water from a local source that is exposed to the atmosphere. Systems require treatment that focuses on scale control and prevention. Open-loop systems still need biocides and an optimal cycle of concentration to minimize water waste.

Advantages of Professional HVAC Water Treatment

Water treatment has many long-term advantages that your facility can benefit from. Water treatment can lower energy consumption by 15-30% by returning your system to design efficiency, prolong equipment life by 5-10 years preventing the need for premature replacement expenses, improves indoor air quality by limiting microbes that can make your facility’s occupants sick. HVAC water treatment helps minimize downtime, repairs, and cleaning which lowers maintenance costs and ensures you meet applicable standards keeping you from costly fines and liabilities. Water treatment optimized your systems water usage minimizing the environmental impact of your facility.

Importance of HVAC Water Treatment

Many facilities see water treatment as an unnecessary cost they can cut when times get tough. However, when you aren’t treating your water you’re losing money on energy, not prolonging the life of your equipment, and putting your facility’s occupants at risk. Proper water treatment isn’t just a program, it’s an investment in your systems performance and your occupants safety. That’s why every facility needs HVAC water treatment.If you want to ensure you’re getting the most out of your HVAC system, HVAC water treatment is necessary. Work with a professional water treatment company to design a treatment program customized to your facility’s needs and gain peace of mind that your system is compliant and running as efficiently as possible.