Condensation: Why Commercial HVAC Coils Produce it and What Happens to It in Your System
When facility managers think of commercial HVAC cooling coils, they typically think about their primary purpose: lowering air temperatures in certain zones through heat transfer. What’s often overlooked is how cooling coils also reduce moisture from the air in addition to lowering air temperatures. This often causes condensation to form on the surface of the coil. But why specifically do commercial HVAC cooling coils produce condensation? And what happens to it after it forms?
During operation, it's normal for condensed water to form on a commercial HVAC cooling coil's surface. This happens when the warm exterior air meets the cold surface as it passes over the coil. As it passes along, the coil absorbs the heat from the air, which lowers the temperature of the air. Something that also contributes to the equation is the air's dew point, which is the temperature at which air must be cooled to become completely saturated with water vapor. In this scenario, the air's dew point being warmer than the coil surface causes water vapor to begin condensing on the surface, forming the liquid you see on the coil. The condensation produced then allows the system to remove humidity from the air, which both improves indoor comfort and helps maintain the desired temperature.
Commercial cooling coils, whether DX or chilled water-based, all have a drainage process that accounts for the condensation buildup on the coil. As more moisture forms on the coil's surface, gravity pulls the water downward into a drain pan located beneath the coil. After the water reaches the drain pan, it moves through the drain line until it is safely discharged at an approved point.
For facility managers, there are a few key issues to look out for within your own commercial HVAC system. One of the most common issues is clogged condensate drain lines, where dust and debris accumulate within the drainage system and restrict water flow. This becomes a catalyst for another issue, overflowing drain pans, which can cause water damage to nearby equipment and limit coil operation. The last issue to look out for is microbial growth within a clogged drain. When a drain is clogged or not operating at full capacity, this creates standing water that can grow microbes and impact the air quality that the coil is producing. Each of these issues can be prevented with simple routine maintenance checks that make sure that everything is working properly within condensate expulsion systems.
At HeatEX Technologies, we want you to understand how condensate correlates with your cooling system so that we can provide you with a coil that fits your specific needs. Coil geometry, fin arrangement, and location all factor into the way your coil responds to condensation, which is something that we take into account when manufacturing your replacement coil. We make sure that each coil delivers the intended performance through careful consideration of every detail that impacts your project, including condensation. HeatEX Technologies doesn’t sidestep your project's needs and instead manufactures a replacement coil capable of elevating your entire system while adhering to the requirements. The next time your coil needs replacement, call HeatEX Technologies, and we will take care of you and your team.
