Not enough companies are paying attention to the quality of heat transfer fluids used within HVAC systems, according to Kilfrost's Andrew Murray.

Not enough companies are paying attention to the quality of heat transfer fluids used within heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, according to Kilfrost's Andrew Murray.

A poor quality heat transfer fluid can quickly become the most expensive part of an HVAC system, despite a relatively low initial cost to the customer. It can also cause corrosion within an HVAC system and have a major impact on the longevity of the system. When glycol is diluted with water to achieve the required frost protection for a system, there is potential for corrosion. A further challenge is the potential of bacterial growth and scaling within the system as a result of hard and /or poor quality water. 

Using a less corrosive heat transfer fluid can enable systems to last longer and shorten the time needed for maintenance and repairs. Using an inhibited glycol mixed with water of sufficient quality can greatly reduce the risk of system downtime and the need to replace expensive capital equipment.