FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1. Does it pollute?

Unlike conventional cooling systems that rely on closely controlled CFC based refrigerants, the Spec-Air heat exchanger operates with non-polluting water as the vaporizing refrigerant. In some cases, particularly rural applications using well water, some water treatment may be recommended, however, in all other cases, city water works perfectly as the heat exchanger refrigerant. Thus, the only thing being added to the environment is H2O.

2. Is the system energy efficient?

All other cooling systems incorporate compressors, condensers fans, pumps and related controls; the Spec-Air heat exchanger only requires a small recirculating pump and vaporizer/exhaust fans to operate. The heat exchanger provides exceptional energy savings and, in energy recovery applications, it saves energy both in the summer and winter by recapturing energy from the building exhaust air.

3. How long will the heat exchanger last?

Spec-Air has been using the heat exchanger for over 20 years. With hundreds of installations throughout the world we have not had an incident of a heat exchanger being worn out. Because this is a passive system, i.e., no moving parts to wear out through normal use, we believe that a minimal life expectancy of the heat exchanger polymer to be 25 to 30 years. Based on field inspections of our oldest installations, the heat exchanger may last even longer than that!

4. What is the warranty on the heat exchanger?

Spec-Air provides standard 15 year pro-rated warranty on all of our polymer heat exchangers (copy of warranty available upon request). To date we have not replaced a heat exchanger under warranty.

5. What about corrosion?

Unlike aluminum heat exchangers or cooling tower/coil systems, the Spec-Air heat exchanger is not subject to corrosion. In areas which have high mineral content in the water and the heat exchanger is operated without water treatment, there can be a build-up of minerals on the interior plates which can reduce operational efficiency. At the time of start-up our technicians set the adjustable bleed valve to wash these minerals from the plates, however, if that adjustment is changed or water conditions worsen, the plates can be cleaned by adding vinegar to the sump water, operating the heat exchanger for a few hours and then washing the minerals out of the sump. Normally we recommend this as a preventative maintenance procedure once every five years.

6. How much maintenance is required?

Spec-Air provides a complete installation, operations and maintenance manual for all of our products that use our heat exchanger. We manufacture the product with the specific intention of limiting the maintenance required: stainless steel casing, polymer vaporizer/exhaust fans, premium stainless steel pumps, brass industrial float valves and industrial piping/fittings, are all selected for longevity. However, we recommend periodic inspection and wash-down of the sump, primarily at the end and beginning of each cooling season. No special skills or tools are required for maintenance and Spec-Air has regional factory trained technicians who can provide inspection, preventative maintenance and repair services on a contract basis should any customer desire that added service.

7. Will equipment or facilities be damaged by high humidity?

No. The Spec-Air heat exchanger is an indirect dry cooling system, which does not add humidity to the air stream. One of the most common applications is the cooling/heating of gymnasiums that have wooden floors. These floors are actually subject to damage by changes in humidity and the Spec-Air system provides the flexibility of staging indirect dry cooling (during periods of high outside air humidity) with staged direct evaporative cooling during periods of high temperature/low humidity and heating with cold/dry outside air. Computer rooms, data centers and other facilities that use or manufacture sensitive electronic equipment, benefit from controlled humidification that reduces static electricity. Winter humidification, and maintaining 60% relative humidity or less in the summer, in any of these facilities can easily be accomplished with the Spec-Air custom air handler using our heat exchanger and staged humidification.