Cooling towers play a crucial role in a business’s HVAC system. They help keep your HVAC system running optimally and take extra pressure off by reusing and cooling the existing water in the system. These pieces of equipment require careful maintenance and attention, and are far too often subject to poor upkeep by companies. When cooling towers are not properly maintained, it can lead to consequences like shorter equipment lifespan, higher energy bills, reduced system efficiency, and serious health and safety risks. By understanding the most common cooling tower maintenance mistakes, facility managers can avoid costly breakdowns and ensure reliable operation. Here are the common mistakes we’ve seen in cooling tower maintenance:
Neglecting Maintenance On The Mechanical Components Of Cooling Towers
Just like in any piece of equipment, fans, belts, bearings, and motors will all experience normal wear and tear. If these pieces are not regularly inspected and cared for, they can fail unexpectedly. These failures can shut down the system entirely and result in significant downtime and costly repairs. Regularly checking these mechanical parts is far more cost-effective than waiting for a breakdown to take care of them.
Not Preparing Cooling Towers For Each Season
Cooling towers need special care for the different times of the year. In winter, the system needs to be winterized to prevent cracking and leaks that come with below-freezing temperatures. In the spring, it requires thorough inspection and maintenance to make sure it can handle the heavy demands of summer. Neglecting to perform seasonal maintenance for cooling towers is a common mistake businesses make, and can have serious consequences for your system. Check out our articles on spring cooling tower service and fall cooling tower cleaning.
Ignoring The Impacts Of Poor Water Quality
Because cooling towers constantly experience temperature changes with the heating and cooling of water, they can easily build up corrosion, which can even lead to the growth of algae and bacteria like Legionella. Not only do these buildups make your cooling tower have to work harder, but they can also become a breeding ground for disease-causing bacteria and put everyone in your building at risk. To make sure that only safe water is being used in your cooling tower and that bacteria is not being allowed to spread across your facility, maintenance should include biocides that kill and prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and other organisms.
Not Consistently Cleaning Cooling Towers
When cooling towers are not cleaned on a regular basis, they are subject to the buildup of dirt and organic matter that can clog the components of the cooling tower. This cooling tower care mistake leads to lower performance and frequent breakdowns. Instead, when companies choose to make a plan for the cleaning of their cooling tower, the system can work at its best and be free of any potential problems that would result in the system breaking and needing to be replaced.
Taking A Reactive Approach To Cooling Tower Maintenance
When businesses make the mistake of taking a reactive approach to the care of their cooling tower, they only pay attention to it when there is a problem. They usually end up spending tens of thousands of dollars on repairs and replacement parts when proactive maintenance would have solved the problem for much less money and hassle. Proactive maintenance keeps cooling towers running in top shape and can catch most issues before they turn into a problem that requires a $10,000+ repair.
Looking For Cooling Tower Maintenance Done The Right Way? Turn To PROAC
The PROAC Corp. specializes in preventive maintenance for cooling towers and commercial HVAC systems. We work hard to ensure that your facility is working for you and is in the best shape to prevent breakdowns and additional costs for your team. Learn more about our cooling tower services, or contact us today for a free quote. We can’t wait to work with you and help you avoid common cooling tower maintenance mistakes.