Choosing the Best Cooling System for Your Lab: Water or Air

At some point, every lab manager has to make this choice. Your old cooling unit stops working, and you're looking at spec papers trying to decide what to do. Both air cooling and water cooling keep samples cold, but they do it in very different ways.

How Labs Use Air Cooling

Consider your air conditioner at home. Air-cooled condensing unit systems work in the same way. A fan moves air over coils that are full of refrigerant. The cold air moves about your storage area while the hot air is forced outside. 

These devices need good air circulation around them. You can't just shove them into tight spaces and expect them to work well. Most labs put them in places where there is at least three feet of space on all sides. 

The good news? You connect them and they work. There are no water lines to connect. No need to keep pumps running. Most of the time, any HVAC technician can fix something that breaks.

How Water Cooling Systems Work

Water cooling works differently. Water runs through the coils instead of air. The water takes in heat from the refrigerant and then gets sent to a cooling tower or chiller, where it lets that heat go. 

These systems are used in larger buildings where more than one unit needs to be cooled. They are used a lot in hospitals. Pharmaceutical businesses also have big cold storage spaces. 

Water cooling needs greater infrastructure. You need pipes to bring water in, pipes to take it out, and sometimes cooling towers on the roof. The cost of setting it up at first is higher, but the long-term savings can make up for it.

Maintenance Requirements

Air cooling is easier to use. Every few months, change the air filters. Once or twice a year, clean the coils. Look at the fan motor from time to time. Most labs can do this themselves. 

Water systems need extra care. You have to think about the quality of the water, the seals on the pumps, and possible leaks. In places with hard water, scale building can be a big problem. A lot of places wind up employing experts for regular maintenance.

Energy Costs Are More Important Than You Think

Things start to get interesting here. Air conditioning uses more electricity when it's hot outside since it has to work harder when the temperature rises. In the summer, your cooling expenditures go up a lot.

Water cooling stays more stable all year long. These systems work just as well in any weather because water holds heat better than air. This difference shows up in your utility bills over five years.

Space and Installation Considerations

The condenser for air cooling systems needs to be outside. You can see them on rooftops or on the sides of buildings. They also make a lot of noise, which is something to think about if your lab is close to homes or workplaces. 

Water cooling keeps the noise down in mechanical rooms. The cooling towers outside are quieter than the air conditioners. But you need room for all that water gear.

Scientific Refrigeration Requirements Matter Most

Water cooling is usually better for clean rooms because it doesn't move air around. For safety concerns, research labs that work with volatile substances generally utilize water systems.

Final Words

Usually, the infrastructure already in place in your building makes this choice for you. Do you have water lines and the ability to cool? It might make sense to chill the water. Are you starting again in a smaller space? Air conditioning makes things easy. 

Before you make a choice, think about how much space you have, how much energy it will cost, and how easy it will be to keep up. The right scientific refrigeration system with an efficient air cooled condensing unit can make all the difference in your lab's performance and operating costs.