Check Glycol Protection
Inadequate glycol concentrations in hydronic systems can lead to catastrophic equipment damage when frigid weather strikes, resulting in costly repairs and downtime.
Glycol protection can deteriorate over time through chemical breakdown, system leaks, or improper maintenance practices. During severe cold snaps, systems with compromised glycol protection face serious risks of coil ruptures, cracked heat exchangers, pump failures, and widespread system damage that can halt facility operations. Contact MSC to test and adjust your glycol concentrations.
Check Outside Air Dampers
Malfunctioning outside air dampers that are stuck open or not sealing properly allow freezing air to pour into a building's HVAC system, causing frozen coils, burst pipes, and equipment failures.
Beyond the risk of damage, stuck dampers waste significant heating energy as systems struggle to maintain temperature, leading to excessive equipment runtime and higher energy costs. Regular inspection of damper operation, actuators, linkages, and seals is crucial during cold snaps to prevent these costly issues.
Check Freeze Stats and Safety Circuits
Freeze protection safety devices (freeze stats) are a critical last line of defense during extreme cold weather, yet they commonly go untested until damage has already occurred.
A malfunctioning or improperly set freeze stat will fail to shut down the air handler in freezing conditions, leading to coil damage, burst pipes, and water damage throughout the facility. Routine testing ensures proper response when freezing conditions are detected, verifying that the freeze stat will shut down the fan, close outside air dampers, open heating valves, and trigger the appropriate alarms.
Check Heat Trace Functionality
Heat trace systems serve as a crucial defense against pipe freezing in exposed areas, and overlooking these systems can lead to pipe failures during extreme cold weather events.
When heat trace fails due to damaged cables, tripped breakers, or faulty controllers, pipes can freeze within hours in frigid weather, leading to burst pipes, water damage, and facility shutdowns. Regular inspection of heat trace during severe cold ensures the system is properly energized, maintaining pipe temperatures above freezing, with functional alarms to alert staff of failures that could lead to damage.
Contact MSC at 973-884-5000 for a cold-weather inspection of your critical systems. Our technicians are standing by 24/7 for rapid response to freeze emergencies.
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