Should I Repair Or Replace A Cooling Tower – Cooling Tower Maintenance
If you’re the owner of a commercial or industrial facility, then you know how important it is to have a reliable cooling tower. When your cooling tower isn’t working properly, it can start to seriously disrupt your business. That’s why it’s important to know when to repair and when to replace your cooling tower. In this blog post, we will discuss the pros and cons of repairing and replacing cooling towers, and also give you some top tips on how to make the best decision for your business.
Repair Or Replace – What’s The Best Solution
A cooling tower will typically last between 15 to 30 years, as long as it undergoes regular cooling tower maintenance. But if you’ve started to notice a decline in its performance & rising cold water temperatures, it is time to carry out critical repairs. If a repair isn’t a viable option, it is time to start planning a replacement. You’ll know if this is the best course of action if the cooling tower repair cost exceeds 50 percent of the price of replacement. In this case, cooling tower replacement will be a more viable economic decision. But if you can repair over replace, you’ll likely be saving a significant amount since replacement can often involve substantial planning, scheduling and expense. But let’s take a look at the pros and cons of both options.
Repairing a Cooling Tower
First, let’s discuss the advantages of cooling tower repairs.
- It’s less expensive than replacing the cooling tower.
- The cooling tower repair can often be done quickly and easily.
- You can get many more years of use out of the cooling tower.
- You can possibly upgrade thermal performance while upgrading.
Ok, so how about the cons of repairing a cooling tower?
- There may be some damage that cannot be repaired.
- The cooling tower repair may not fix the problem completely.
- The cooling tower may not be able to operate at desired capacity after a repair.
If Cooling Tower Repairs Aren’t An Option
If your cooling tower is pretty old, seriously damaged or not suitable for current demand, a repair will not be able to provide you with the same level of performance or reliability as replacing the entire system. In this case, a replacement is best, so let’s take a quick look at the advantages of this.
- You’ll get a brand new, high-quality cooling tower designed for your current thermal process needs.
- There’s no risk of further damage to the cooling tower.
- The replacement will be covered by a warranty.
However, there are some cons to consider;
- It’s probably more expensive than repairing the cooling tower.
- The replacement process can be disruptive to your business.
- You’ll have to dispose of the old cooling tower, which your supplier can help with.
How To Make The Right Cooling Tower Maintenance Decision
When it comes to deciding whether to repair or replace your cooling tower, there are a few factors you need to consider. The first is the cost. Repairing a cooling tower is usually less expensive than replacing it, but there may be some damage that can’t be repaired and could cost you more in the long run. If the repair continues to disrupt your business, and you may end up needing to replace the system anyway. Although replacement can often take more time than replacing it, so keep that in mind if you’re on a tight schedule.
Another thing to consider is how much use the cooling tower gets. If it’s been heavily used over the years and is starting to show signs of wear and tear, then it might be time for a replacement. On the other hand, if the cooling tower is still fairly new and in good condition, then a repair might be all it needs.
Finally, you need to think about the impact on your business as a whole. Replacing a cooling tower can be disruptive to your business, but it will give you a brand new, high-quality cooling tower. Repairing a cooling tower is usually less disruptive in terms of downtime, but there’s always the risk that the repair won’t fix the problem completely.
So, what’s the best option for your business? That depends on your specific situation. If you’re not sure what to do, our experts at Industrial Cooling Solutions can help you make the right decision. We offer a wide range of cooling tower services, including repair and cooling tower maintenance. Contact us today to learn more.