Cold Weather Damage: How Freezing Temperatures Can Burst HVAC Coils
During periods of cold weather, HVAC systems face increased strain — and one of the most common winter issues is freeze damage to coil heat exchangers.
Why Freeze Damage Occurs
When water inside a coil is exposed to freezing temperatures, it expands as it turns to ice. Unlike air, water increases in volume when frozen, exerting pressure from the inside out. This expansion places significant stress on the pipework, particularly at the u-bends or return bends, where pressure concentrates and can exceed the strength of the tubing.
Unlike frost forming on an outdoor unit’s surface, freeze damage in water-based coils comes from internal expansion. Even with circulating water, stagnant areas or low flow can allow pockets of fluid to drop below freezing. In many cases, this pressure causes the u-bend to crack or burst, leading to leaks, loss of system performance, and potential damage to surrounding equipment.
Freeze damage is not always immediately visible. Systems may continue to operate until symptoms such as worsening leaks, decreased performance, or complete system shutdown occur — resulting in unexpected downtime and costly repairs.
The Importance of Early Assessment
Identifying freeze damage early is essential to prevent further system issues. A damaged coil can reduce heat transfer efficiency, increase running costs, and compromise overall system reliability.
Whilst some preventative strategies — such as maintaining circulation, checking insulation, or using appropriate antifreeze concentrations — can help reduce risk in certain systems, real-world conditions and installation variables mean that freeze events still occur, particularly in poorly drained or neglected systems.
Expert Coil Replacement from SPC
At SPC, we have over 50 years of experience designing and manufacturing high-quality coil heat exchangers. We support customers who’ve experienced coil failure due to freezing conditions with specialist site surveys and bespoke replacement solutions.
Our coil replacement site surveys are carried out by experienced specialists who assess the condition of the existing coil and the surrounding system, identifying damage and any factors that may have contributed to it.
Our team carefully measures and designs replacement coils to match existing units — including coils not originally manufactured by SPC. Each replacement coil is engineered to meet the specific requirements of the application. This precision helps to:
- Minimise on-site rework and installation modifications
- Reduce installation time and downtime
- Restore and improve system performance
- Lower long-term running costs
Don’t Wait - Protect Your HVAC System Today
If your system has been exposed to freezing temperatures or you suspect coil damage, SPC’s experienced team can assist with a detailed assessment and replacement solution tailored to your installation.
📞 Call us today at 0116 249 0044
📧 Email us at spc@spc-hvac.co.uk
