Why This Window Heat Pump Is Genius

Matt Ferrell runs a great engineering focused YouTube channel called Undecided. He recently covered a uniquely designed window heat pump.

Well, there’s a new type of heat pump hitting the market that’s a little more accessible: easy to install heat pumps that sit on your window just like an AC unit. It seems so obvious when you look at it that I can’t help but wonder…why didn’t we do this earlier? And how well do they actually work and at what cost?

For markets such as New York or other applications where a centralized system or split system isn’t feasible, a window unit makes sense.

How Do Heat Pumps Work?

Wired with another great piece on heat pumps.

And here’s a crucial fact: According to the second law of thermodynamics, thermal energy only transfers from hot things to cold things; it doesn’t go the other way. So despite what you might think, the ice cubes in your drink aren’t “cooling” the liquid; the liquid is heating the ice cubes—which means it’s losing energy and getting colder, while the ice gains energy and melts.

If you really want to bend people’s brains, just share this law of physics and you will start to see the wheels turn as they try to figure that out.

Send this article whenever someone you know is curious about heat pumps and how they work.

Why Cleaning and Servicing Your Cooling Tower is Better Than Replacing It

Cooling towers are essential components in many industrial and commercial systems. When these towers show signs of wear, the question often come up: Do we have to replace it with a new one or is there a way to extend the life of our existing towers. While replacing might seem like a straightforward solution, maintaining and servicing your current cooling tower often proves to be the better option. Here’s why:

Cost-Effective Solution

Replacing a cooling tower can be a significant investment, not just in terms of purchasing a new unit but also in the costs of installation, downtime, and potential modifications to your existing system. Cleaning and servicing your current cooling tower is a far more cost-effective approach, allowing you to extend the life of your equipment at a fraction of the cost of replacement.

Minimizes Downtime

Installing a new cooling tower requires a substantial amount of time—from the planning and procurement stages to the actual installation. This process can lead to considerable downtime, affecting your operations and potentially leading to lost revenue. Regular cleaning and servicing, on the other hand, can be done with minimal disruption, keeping your systems running smoothly without extended interruptions.

Environmental Benefits

Opting to clean and service your existing cooling tower is also a more environmentally friendly choice. Manufacturing new cooling towers involves consuming raw materials and energy, which contributes to your carbon footprint. By maintaining your current system, you reduce waste and lower the environmental impact associated with producing and disposing of equipment.

Enhanced Efficiency

Over time, cooling towers can accumulate scale, biofilm, and other contaminants that reduce their efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance remove these buildups, allowing your tower to operate at peak efficiency. This not only helps in reducing energy costs but also ensures that your system is running as effectively as possible, prolonging its overall lifespan.

Maintaining System Compatibility

When you replace a cooling tower, there’s always the risk that the new unit may not be fully compatible with your existing system. This could necessitate additional modifications, further driving up costs and complicating the installation process. By servicing and cleaning your current cooling tower, you avoid these issues and maintain the integrity of your system as a whole.

While replacing a cooling tower may seem like a quick fix, cleaning and servicing your existing unit is often the more prudent choice. It’s cost-effective, minimizes downtime, is better for the environment, enhances efficiency, and ensures continued compatibility with your current system. Regular maintenance can breathe new life into your cooling tower, keeping it running efficiently for years to come.