7 Winter Maintenance Tips for Your Temperature Control Equipment!

As it gets colder, and with a new “Beast From The East” cold wave potentially on the horizon, It is now more important than ever to ensure your temperature control equipment is maintained correctly and ready to experience any fluctuations or increase in demand.

With that in mind, we have compiled a list of 10 tips that can help you achieve this and keep your processes running.

Should you need further support in the cold weather, our service team are available for all preventative maintenance and emergency breakdown requirements.

For any breakdowns in your temperature control equipment, we are able to get hire chillers, boilers or portables to you in an instant & our Capital Sales team are on hand for any direct replacements.

TIP 1

Take your equipment’s glycol dosage into consideration. Inhibited Glycol/Antifreeze is extremely important, as it will prevent the fluid circulating in your system from freezing. Be that through ambient temperature exposure or the temperature at which the fluid is circulating.  A specific (inhibited) type of glycol is needed in your system; it is manufactured especially to not corrode your pipework.

TIP 2

Selection of the appropriate water treatment is specific for your system. As a minimum, any antifreeze/glycol that is added to your system should contain inhibitors. There are universal products available in the marketplace although it would be beneficial to have a fluid analysis carried out on any hydraulic circuit prior to the administration of glycol/antifreeze.

TIP 3

If you do have inhibited glycol, it is extremely important to have the right concentration for the temperature circulated or ambient exposure. Too little and too much glycol can have significant adverse effects on the efficiency and performance of your system.

Please remember, the minimum level of glycol should always be 25%, below this it is a food source for bacteria and could turn the fluid acidic. This will cause damage to the internal pipework of your system if bacteria were to build up.

TIP 4

If you have a dry air cooler or adiabatic cooler, ensure the glycol level is at the correct concentration for the lowest expected ambient temperature.

TIP 5

Switch off and drain down the adiabatic system to prevent frozen pipe work. Alternatively apply trace heating to protect the adiabatic feed pipework.

TIP 6

Ensure your equipment is operating at its best by having a proactive service in the autumn. Being proactive ahead of time will save you a lot of downtime.

TIP 7

If your equipment is switched off over winter, ensure that your pump(s) remain lubricated throughout. You may want employ an alternative method of frost protection, such as ensuring the chiller pumps circulate if the temperature drops below 3°C.