Understanding the Importance of Water Treatment
HVAC, energy efficiency, life cycle cost July 10, 2009
I’m Ed Sullivan, editor of Building Operating Management magazine. Today’s topic is the importance of effective water treatment for HVAC systems.
From boilers to cooling towers, many HVAC systems depend on water to transfer heat. But constant exposure to water can cause problems for the system if steps aren’t taken to prevent them. For example, if scale builds up on heat transfer surfaces, energy efficiency is reduced. Corrosion can shorten the life of a system and possibly put operators at risk. And without proper treatment, micro-organisms can thrive in the water, including the bacteria that causes Legionnaire’s disease.
As important as it is, water treatment is easy to overlook. For one thing, the benefits are hidden from view, as are the potential harms. Another obstacle is the specialized terminology: clarification, demineralization, dearation, softening – and that’s just for boilers.
Whether the water treatment program is handled in-house or contracted out, the facility executive should ensure that the program has been designed to meet the specific needs of the system at hand – needs that vary from building to building. Making that effort pays off. A properly designed water treatment program can aid the energy performance of the system, keep equipment operating longer, further reducing life cycle costs, and help protect the health and safety of operating staff and building occupants.
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