Symptoms of poor water quality readily compromise the efficiency of individual components and invariably the HVAC system as a whole. Moreover, initiatives to improve efficiency of existing buildings and performance specifications for ‘new builds’ can not be fully realised without inclusion of suitable and adequate ‘safeguards’ to maintain the ‘energy carrier’ in its optimal state.

Poor water quality impacts on heat transfer efficiency in two ways: Impairment or blockage by debris, or through the development of a restrictive or insulating deposit layer. Suspended solids may remain from construction phase, or are generated by corrosion, precipitation of minerals, biological growth or fill water contamination.