Almost all packaged A/C or split system units do not have a service factor for extra capacity. Even when new, these units may not yield the cooling BTUH capacity specified due to improper installation and/or incorrect load calculations at the inception of installation and startup. Consequently, as the system gets older and parts become less efficient, the system may lower … Read More
There are many different types of coils, fan coil units, air handlers and tube bundles. Test your knowledge on these application questions. NO PEAKING AT ANSWERS! 1. What’s the #1 reason for replacing steam distributing coils? Condensate corrosion Stress corrosion Freeze event Air temperature fluctuation 2. What’s the main difference between a double deck and a multizone air handler? Single … Read More
Air handling units that include single and double wall air handlers have had energy saving devises available for many decades. First, there was the variable inlet vane which reduced air flow and power consumption during off peak conditions. The latest way is to place a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) in the unit, which is more efficient than its predecessor, the … Read More
Fan Coil units are one of the least expensive ways to heat or cool a space. The design process usually requires many questions about the unit design and its accessories, and the questions that need to be answered are not always obvious. Getting answers to the hidden questions can turn a mediocre design into a great design. The following are … Read More
Southwest Coil receives many systematic and application questions every month. Here are a few you might find interesting or may find to be familiar. In the middle of summer, many of these problems can really determine an HVAC systems efficiency and reliability. We service a large community hospital. Each year our cooling in certain systems seems to be reduced, and … Read More
There are many commercial and industrial applications that have different coil arrangements and construction. Two parts of these applications remain constant. 1) Older coils will have heavier construction materials, and 2) Most HVAC coils were not constructed for all types of applications. Keen competition over the years has increased the need for energy efficiency. Most HVAC unitary parts are now … Read More
The Top Ten Reasons Coil replacement has been a part of the HVAC aftermarket for as long as finned tube coils have been used to create heat transfer. The coils installed in the 50’s and 60’s were heavier duty than today’s coils and were almost always spiral fin type with a tension wound fin onto copper tubes. The plate fin … Read More
Replacing heat exchanger coils has been taking place since the beginning of the HVAC and processing and cooling era. It’s now close to 90 years since the first finned tube heat exchangers appeared on the market in the early 1900’s. The coil has undergone drastic changes over the years – from spiral wound type through the plate fin coils that … Read More
Take Southwest Coil’s “quick quiz” and test your air handler knowledge. Match the lettered terms on the left with the numbered meanings on the right. This is fun, and you may learn some useful information about normal air handler terminology. NO PEEKING – Answers Below QUESTIONS: Tip of the day It’s important to know that Southwest Coil manufactures direct drive … Read More
Periodically, we receive questions from our customers on coil system products. The following are a few answers to questions from the recent past that may prove helpful. We have a system in a local hospital with old vane-axial controllable pitch fans. These fans blow through a bank of chilled water coils. The system has always had water in the duct … Read More
