When your commercial HVAC system draws in cold outside air, it doesn’t mix properly with the warm return air, creating distinct layers. This stratified air is a direct threat to your equipment. At Blender Products, Inc., we’ve engineered the solution: the Channel Blender. It’s not just an accessory; it’s essential protection for your HVAC investment. Learn more below, and contact Blender Products, Inc. today.
Understanding the Problem: Temperature Stratification
Temperature stratification in buildings occurs when air of different temperatures fails to mix, creating layers—a common issue in large air handling units (AHUs). In winter, the cold, dense outside air (e.g., 0°F) drops to the bottom of the duct, while the warm, lighter return air (e.g., 70°F) floats on top. This “laminar flow” moves as two separate streams directly toward your sensitive components.
The Coil Killer: How Stratification Causes Damage
This unmixed air is the primary cause of coil failure. Your heating coil, or even a pre-heat coil, is designed to heat air. But when one part of it (the bottom) is hit by a 0°F air stream, that section of the coil can freeze and burst before the rest of the coil even registers a problem. A single freeze-stat sensor, often reading a false “average” temperature, won’t prevent this targeted damage.
The Solution: Forced Air Mixing to Prevent Stratification
A channel blender is an engineered static mixer installed in the duct. It’s not just a set of baffles; our patented design creates powerful, counter-rotating vortices. It aggressively “channels” and churns the layered air, forcing the 0°F and 70°F streams to blend completely. The result is a uniform air stream—for example, 35°F—across the entire face of the duct, all in a very short distance.
The Payoff: Total Coil Protection
By ensuring the air that hits your coil is at a consistent, non-freezing temperature, the channel blender virtually eliminates the risk of freeze-ups. You prevent burst pipes, catastrophic water damage, and costly coil replacements. This protection directly extends the service life of your coils from a few seasons to potentially decades, safeguarding the heart of your AHU.
Beyond Protection: Efficiency and Sensor Accuracy
This complete air mixing to prevent stratification has added benefits. First, your temperature sensors and freeze-stats now provide accurate readings, allowing your control system to work as designed. Second, your coil becomes more efficient. The entire coil surface is now used effectively for heat transfer, rather than just one part, which can lead to energy savings and improved comfort.
GET STARTED TODAY
HVAC stratification is a quiet but relentless threat that can lead to catastrophic failures. Installing a Channel Blender from Blender Products, Inc. is the most effective way to protect your coils, ensure sensor accuracy, and maximize the life and efficiency of your entire system. Contact us to get started today.