Building a cooling tower is a sizeable investment. It costs tens to even hundreds of thousands of dollars to construct a cooling tower – but it does help to reduce energy costs by up to 9% and offers a great ROI! But with such a sizeable upfront cost, it is important to invest in routine cooling tower cleaning to keep this structure in tip-top shape.
Cooling towers can quickly become contaminated and unsanitary. The moist, warm environment is the perfect breeding ground for many types of bacteria. Plus, mineral deposits and debris in the water can form a type of sludge in the cooling tower. This can eventually slow down the efficiency of the tower.
Regular cooling tower cleaning helps to keep the entire system as sanitary as possible. But the cooling tower cleaning procedure can be confusing and complicated, particularly for larger systems.
Here’s everything you need to know about cooling tower cleaning processes:
1. How Often Do You Need Cooling Tower Cleaning?
The number of times per year you should clean your cooling tower system depends slightly on the frequency of operation. But as most buildings with a cooling tower are running them pretty consistently, it is best to go with the OSHA recommendation of twice-yearly cleanings.
During the cooling tower cleaning, the system will need to be shut off entirely, so it is best to incorporate this as a part of all routine maintenance. This way all of the required repairs, part replacements, and disinfection procedures can be completed at once – reducing necessary downtime.
2. What Does a Cooling Tower Cleaning Involve?
Cooling tower cleanings focus primarily on disinfection and sanitization of the tower and water.
First, the tower will be inspected to note any signs of damage or areas requiring additional attention. This should not be the only time your tower is inspected though; a thorough check should be conducted every month.
Next, the cooling tower system will be prepared for safe cleaning. All pumps and fans must be turned off according to the OSHA lockout/tagout procedures. This helps to protect the cleaning service crew from hazardous energy sources and ensures all systems are correctly shut down.
The water and tower will then be treated to kill any bacterial growth. Chemicals may be added to the water to descale, which helps to reduce mineral deposits in hard water. The tower’s surfaces will also be thoroughly cleaned and treated to kill bacteria, primarily Legionella, which is common in cooling towers.
The next step is to remove any sludge, or buildup, from the basin with specialized vacuums. The final step will be to clean the fill media, which can get clogged from regular use. This significantly reduces the tower’s efficiency, so unclogging the fill is very important.
3. Is Cooling Tower Cleaning Part of Preventative Maintenance?
Yes, this falls under the umbrella of preventative maintenance as it helps to keep your tower operating in peak condition. Keeping up with scheduled cooling tower cleaning and maintenancecan help to improve the efficiency of your system significantly.
A preventative maintenance service will test all of the motors, fans, pumps, belts, pulleys, and screens to ensure they’re running correctly. Any unusual vibrations, sounds, or other issues will be noted. They will also lubricate fan shaft bearings and adjust the belt tension to ensure the cooling tower is running at peak performance.
It is recommended to schedule cooling tower cleaning and maintenance every 6 months for systems that are running consistently. Sticking to a routine and investing in regular cleanings and inspections can help to extend the life of your cooling tower while also cutting down on energy and repair costs. Partnering with a cooling tower service company offering cleanings, repairs, and preventive maintenance services is the ideal option.
4. How do I Find a Reputable Cooling Tower Repair Service?
Cooling tower cleaning services are pretty specialized, but it is important to hire a reliable provider to handle the job. The mechanical parts within the cooling tower require special care, and they can be expensive to replace if they are mishandled. Plus, you want to be sure the cleaning and disinfection process is thorough to keep bacterial breakouts at bay.
Your first step to narrowing down your cooling tower cleaning companies is to do some research. Take a look at their reviews and past work. Client testimonials can give you a lot of valuable insight.
Next, make sure that the service is compliant with your state’s specific requirements. This includes local laws regarding legionella disinfection, water testing and treatment services, as well as inspection certifications. You want to do everything by the books to ensure that your cooling tower meets state code.
At Pinnacle Cooling Tower Service, we ensure state compliance with all of our cooling tower cleaning and maintenance services. Our company meets New York City local laws and state codes for legionella prevention, control, and disinfection.
Need to Book Cooling Tower Cleaning Services?
If it’s time to take care of your cooling tower with a thorough cleaning and disinfection, you can rely on Pinnacle to handle the job. We also offer cooling tower repairs, preventative maintenance, and installation services within the New York City and greater New Jersey areas.
Contact us
To learn more about our cooling tower cleaning services and to receive a free estimate, get in touch online or call 732-570-9392.
