November 29, 2022
HVAC systems either are self-sufficient or operate with a cooling tower. Cooling towers will typically be part of the system in large or commercial areas. Why is this?
A Checklist to Determine if your HVAC System or Building Needs a Cooling Tower
Size- Large areas require more cooling than smaller ones do. Traditional HVAC systems operating by themselves will not be able to handle larger areas easily. An important point to consider with cooling towers is that their size should be directly proportional to the area they have to cool. A size that’s just right will be large enough to cool your building or equipment without being too large and having excessive overhead or installation costs. Check out our previous article for help with sizing here.
- Compatibility- You should determine a proper space for the cooling tower. Ideally, this would be a place with good airflow and it is why cooling towers are typically on rooftops. Additionally, it is necessary to purchase the correct parts to connect the tower to your system.
- Cost- Cooling towers are an investment that will have a high upfront cost but will have energy cost savings in the long run. HVAC systems can only handle so much and a properly designed, comprehensive HVAC and cooling tower system will pay for itself. An additional factor to consider is maintenance for your cooling tower. If you perform regular preventative maintenance your system will be operating as efficiently as possible. The cost of maintenance is considerably less than any problems leading to an inefficient or broken tower. To schedule cooling tower chemical water treatment maintenance reach out here. We can assist with any questions you may have relating to your situation.
Cooling Tower’s Importance in Commercial HVAC Systems
Energy Efficiency
HVAC systems have widespread usage, they can be used in areas such as residential homes, factories, hospitals, and schools. The focus is on energy efficiency for cooling buildings for the design engineers, architects, and contractors. Commercial HVAC systems are expensive and have big areas to cover, cooling towers often are the solution to effective, cheap cooling.
Stress on the HVAC System
Overworked HVAC systems can break down, have high energy costs, and have a shorter lifespan. Cooling towers can take on heavier loads and alleviate unnecessary stress on existing HVAC parts.
How Cooling Towers Work
To understand why cooling towers are useful machinery to effectively cool large areas it can be helpful to understand the inner workings of it.
Cooling towers utilize evaporative cooling. When warm water comes in contact with air the water evaporates and leaves behind cool air.
Large fans spin inside towers to direct airflow between outside air, the inside of the tower, and the building or equipment the cool air is directed.
The surface area inside the tower is important and it is why there is splash or film fill to create surfaces for evaporation to occur.
Water continually flows throughout the system during this. Water has to be introduced or recycled within the cooling tower. While water is necessary for its cooling attributes it carries contaminants, that if not treated properly cause rusting and can impair surrounding air quality. Chemical water treatment solves the issues with water and keeps the system running at peak performance.
To consult professional chemical water treatment experts at Chardon message or call us here.
Matt Welsh
Matt Welsh is the Vice President and Water Consultant at Chardon Labs. He helps consult a wide range of customers utilizing various methods of water treatment, from chemical to chemical-free approaches, large and small applications, and across a wide range of geographical influences. With 20 years of water treatment experience, including a wide range of troubleshooting and service in potable water and non-potable HVAC and industrial applications, he is an expert in water treatment chemistry for cooling towers, boilers, and closed-loop systems.