Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cool Worx?
Cool Worx is a unique air-dry water-based acrylic HVAC/R coil coating. Cool Worx is powered by GMG Graphene to
provide a novel way of increasing heat transfer of air-cooled coils used in HVAC/R equipment. The coating provides
coil corrosion resistance as well. The coating is specifically developed for air cooled round tube plate fin (RTPF)
and microchannel heat exchangers made of copper/aluminum or all aluminum construction. Cool Worx is not
suitable water-cooled condensers. Cool Worx can be used on stainless steel or unpainted or painted steel surfaces in applicable situations.
What is graphene?
Graphene is a two-dimensional allotrope of carbon that is one thick atom that exhibits an extraordinary ability to
conduct heat with its ability to superconduct via vibrational mechanical energy (phonon heat transfer) by its lattice
of carbon atoms.
How does Cool Worx provide energy savings?
Inside a very thin layer of Cool Worx, graphene increases the heat transfer process allowing more efficient operation of the system with less energy and lowers CO2 emissions.
With new systems or systems in the field, the unique properties of graphene within Cool Worx transfers heat at a
much faster rate, creating more efficient system operation and faster time to reach cooling set points. Faster cooling with less fan and compressor operating times results in energy savings. The coating restores lost efficiency caused by corrosion of the existing coil.
What average energy savings should I expect with Cool Worx?
Independent testing has shown 15% improvement of pull-down rate and 5% reduction in compressor wattage on
a NEW coated coil. Depending on degradation of the coil in the field, systems in service saw improved wattage
reduction where an independent study showed an average of 12%, the results were specific to each situation in the study. Field tests have shown a range of 8 to 30+% depending on the condition of the coil where slightly degraded coil saw most improvement.
The actual savings will depend on factors including variable operating conditions, climate, system loads, change
in temperature set points, system design and age. As a result, the product may perform differently from how it
is described. Testing is recommended where these variables can be best isolated to properly and fairly evaluate
properties of Cool Worx to determine if the product provides the necessary benefit for a particular application.
Nu-Calgon has tools and recommendations to help in the evaluation process. Nu-Calgon uses a reasonable 10%
savings target with ROI expectations in discussions with Cool Worx.
What type of equipment can Cool Worx be applied?
Cool Worx is primarily for air cooled coils used in HVAC/R, industrial process cooling, and thermal management
applications. Cool Worx can be applied on any size equipment, typically the larger size equipment with average or
longer run times operating in areas with higher kilowatt cost see the quickest return on investment.
Studies have shown benefit with the application of Cool Worx on evaporators too on applicable type of systems.
Considerations with the use of UV lights are required to help facilitate Cool Worx curing for evaporator applications; it is best to coat the evaporator prior to system commissioning. See Nu-Calgon for further guidance.
Cool Worx would also find benefit on coils in radiant heat applications since the coating improves the thermal
radiation of the surface by eight-fold. See Nu-Calgon for further guidance.
What Nu-Calgon coil cleaners should be used to clean the coil before application of Cool Worx?
Nu-Calgon’s Tri-Pow’r HD™ should be used on newer, bare aluminum and/or copper coils with slight to no corrosion of the coil whether it is RTPF or microchannel design. With slightly corroded coils or previously coated condenser (outdoor) coils, Nu-Calgon’s more aggressive alkaline Nu-Brite™ coil cleaner (at a 10:1 dilution) is recommended in these situations to best remove corrosion off the coil or to remove existing coating flaking surface so Cool Worx will best adhere to this substrate.
How often should Cool Worx be applied?
Cool Worx is a one-lifetime application. It is imperative to use milder coil cleaners approved by Nu-Calgon to
maintain the coating since an aggressive brightener cleaner (Nu-Brite and similar others) will damage the coating to where reapplication would be necessary to repair. Using non-approved cleaners will vid the warranty.
What cleaner is recommended to clean the condenser coil after Cool Worx is applied?
Allow two weeks for Cool Worx to fully cure on the coil before applying any coil cleaner. Only use mild cleaners for
cleaning the condenser coil with the coating. Nu-Calgon recommends Cal-Green, Tri-Pow'r™ or Blackhawk™ for
outdoor cleaners or Evap-Green™ if the coating is deemed appropriate for a particular indoor coil application every
six months after the coating application. Cool Worx when fully cured, has hydrophobic properties that make subsequent cleaning much easier with a milder cleaner such as Cal-Green.
Does it affect the equipment’s warranty?
Equipment manufacturers have varying warranty coverage that addresses the entire piece of equipment and
various components in the system. Always follow OEM guidelines to ensure warranty coverage. Condenser coils,
depending on how they are treated at the factory or other applicator can have more limited coverage due to
potential corrosive microclimates in the field. Cool Worx aids in addressing ongoing oxidation/degradation of the
aluminum coil from date it was installed. Cool Worx provides corrosion resistance to the coil as well as reinstates
some heat transfer capability that was lost due to metal degradation after it was installed. Nu-Calgon continues to
be in discussions with OEMs with the novel properties Cool Worx provides.
What makes Cool Worx different than other coil coatings in the market?
Other coil coatings in the market provide corrosion resistance to the coil and they nominally affect heat transfer
rate. Cool Worx is a two-in-one product which provides top-tier corrosion resistance but also makes the coil more
conductive with its application vs. not applying a coating or a using a competing coating.
How do you prove to customers it works?
The best approach is to find an application/system where variables can be best isolated so there is a consistent
compare of before and after application of Cool Worx. This includes a consistent cooling load and reasonably
consistent weather pattern since these variables will affect how the system performs. It is imperative to gather
energy data before and after application of Cool Worx plus other system vitals. It is also imperative to know that it
will take several days or more for the coating to cure before performance is best realized. For specific questions,
contact Nu-Calgon.
What type of customers will benefit?
Cool Worx can be used on any sized air conditioning, refrigeration, precision cooling or industrial cooling air cooled
heat exchanger. End-users that benefit most with quicker ROI will be those with higher energy costs commensurate to their overall operating costs, and/or those who are looking to protect the outdoor coil to extend the life of their equipment.
Small to medium businesses generally don’t have a lot of levers to pull to offset savings weighing in inventory,
staffing and rent costs. The ability to reduce energy cost with Cool Worx’s ability to save operational costs,
achievable year on year – especially if a local utility company has a program available to offset the application cost.
Some notable examples of high use/energy applications including air conditioning/refrigeration systems in
commercial buildings such as stores, offices, schools, gymnasiums, libraries, hospitals, clinics and others including
supermarkets, plus data centers and industrial applications.
Can you apply too much/little Cool Worx?
Yes, undercoating may lead to inferior performance. Testing has shown Cool Worx to be forgiving if some excess
overcoating occurred – within reason. Three light coats at three different application sprayer angles to the coil (90
degrees to coil, 45 degrees left to coil, and 45 degrees right to the coil). When applying Cool Worx, position the
sprayer about four inches from the coil. The dry film thickness of Cool Worx is 15 microns, it will not cause air
flow restriction.
What are the most important considerations with Cool Worx?
Determine if the application is the right fit for Cool Worx by reviewing system size, run time, condition of the
equipment, local kW cost so it provides the required ROI to the end-user.
In evaluating Cool Worx, Nu-Calgon has a payback estimator and has test set-up suggestions to ensure reasonably
consistent cooling loads and outdoor conditions to have best comparative results to highlight the benefit of the
coating.
Once Cool Worx is applied to the coil, more aggressive coil cleaners in the market like Nu-Calgon’s Nu-Brite can no
longer be used. Before applying, ensure using mild cleaners as in Nu-Calgon’s Cal-Green is a suitable long-term coil
cleaning strategy.
Like any paint system, surface preparation is everything! If the coil is too severely corroded to the point where the
fins are brittle, this is not an application for Cool Worx. Clean coils with the right cleaner to properly prepare the
surface. If rust exists, this must be addressed first with the use of a mechanical brush and/or rust converter product to allow for best Cool Worx adhesion.
IMPORTANT: The coil must be dry before applying Cool Worx. A wet coil surface will inhibit good adhesion and
must be avoided. Clean the coil the day before and apply it the next day or if done on the same day, use a power
blower to accelerate good drying before applying Col Worx.
What if I have trouble fully accessing the coil to apply Cool Worx?
Applying Cool Worx in the field with existing equipment requires application specific planning, understanding how
to best access to as much coil surface area on both sides of the coil as possible for best corrosion protection and
energy savings potential. There may be circumstances where coil depth, coil geometries/access where limited coil
exposure to were applying Cool Worx may not make sense. Each circumstance needs to be reviewed on its own
merit.
The good news with current findings is that worthy energy gains have been seen with only a good coating
(three thin coats from different sprayer angles) on the air intake side of the condenser coil. Third party and field
testing has been done with coating condensers in field assembled condensing units. Coil coverage in these
circumstances is never perfect, it is about what can be reasonably available for best coverage to optimize the
benefit of Cool Worx.
Independent findings have shown field applications of assembled systems have shown 15%
pull down rate reduction and 5% energy savings on a new coil, with coils in service about 12% energy savings; some applications dramatically more because of system circumstances. As the system ages in service, where the coil has seen some ongoing specific microclimate degradation, field testing routinely has shown higher realized energy cost savings when compared to testing on a new coil.
What are the regulatory requirements for Cool Worx?
- For Nu-Calgon trained HVAC/R professionals only. Cool Worx CANNOT be resold or given away to any other individual.
- Follow label requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes protective eyewear, proper respirator use during handling and spraying, nitrile gloves, and necessary dermal protection.
- Following proper disposal requirements following local laws. Do NOT release Cool Worx direct into a water stream. Collect water used during sprayer clean-up with a chemical absorbent. Allow rags and empty Cool Worx bottles to dry before proper disposal.
Nu-Calgon requires written agreements with Cool Worx applicators to have on file to acknowledge these requirements and for any warranty consideration.
