Buying a Coil Cleaning System? Avoid these Five Mistakes

Summer is coming, and with it a huge uptick in your facility’s HVAC usage. If your cooling systems aren’t properly serviced and maintained both your facility and your boss may be heating up fairly soon. Want to stay cool, optimize efficiency and still keep costs down? Avoid these five mistakes when buying an enterprise-grade coil cleaning system.

1 – Buying Same-Old System

As noted by AHCR News, coils have undergone significant evolution as companies look for ways to reduce refrigerant use without a loss of cooling power. Advances such as MicroGroove and micro channel technology, for example, leverage smaller-diameter copper tubes to carry less refrigerant at higher pressures. The result? Old cleaning tools may not have the ideal combination of pressure and flow to properly maintain new coils — for example, pump sprays may provide basic surface scrubbing but aren’t powerful enough to penetrate new coil beds. Bottom line? If you’re running new coils, you need new cleaning tools.

2 – Buying One-Size-Fits-All System

Another common mistake? Using generic tools rather than specific coil cleaning solutions. While “one size fits all” solutions may offer a quick clean they’re not designed for regularly scheduled, long-term cleaning. Look for industry-standard solutions — such as Goodway’s CoilPro line — which are tailored to meet specific cleaning needs.

3 – Buying Too-Powerful System

Did you know that HVAC systems with dirty coils can consume up to 37 percent more power but still won’t match the performance of clean units? As a result, many companies are tempted to spend on the biggest, most powerful cleaning system they can to get the job done. But when it comes to maximizing coil performance, opt for the ideal balance of water volume and pressure.

For example, the Goodway CC-600 delivers 600 PSI at 1.6 GPM to penetrate thick coil beds. But if you’re dealing with smaller, thinner coils and fins in hard-to-reach places you’re better off with something more portable, such as the CC-JR CoilPro. If you really need to amp up the volume, meanwhile, consider the CC-400HF which has enough pressure to clean 6” thick coils.

4 – Buying AC-dependant System

Companies also make the mistake of buying of AC-dependant systems to handle indoor and outdoor coils, only to realize there’s no convenient power outlet near the exterior unit. One option is running miles of extension cord to get the job done — and hoping that it doesn’t get tangled or unplugged until you’re finished. Alternatively, there’s the CC-100, a multi-purpose coil cleaner that uses a 12 V rechargeable battery with a smart charger to get the job done.

5 – Buying a System With no Water Tanks

Water is another concern: Do you have access to a reliable source of clean water for regular coil maintenance? If not, consider a model with on-board water tanks such as the CC-100 or CC-JR; when coupled with Goodway’s CoilShine solution the result speaks for itself: Perfectly clean coils in less time.

Clean coils can save you big money — Westwood One office park in Weschester Country, NY, saved $20,000 on their energy bill in a single month. Find out how they did it. To reap the benefits, however, it’s important to avoid common mistakes: Find a coil cleaning system that offers the power, flexibility and portability your facility needs.