Site Bite: Vertically Mounted Coils with a Horizontal Airflow

When it comes to innovative projects, unique design solutions are often necessary. At John S. Roberts J.H.S., the steam coils in a custom HVAC unit were uniquely configured—mounted vertically with horizontal airflow. This particular setup was essential to manage condensate accumulation effectively.

Once steam turns into liquid, it must be drained out of the coils. Otherwise, the accumulated condensate could freeze, expand, and potentially damage the coils. We’ve all seen what happens when water freezes—it expands and can burst the tubing.

Under full steam pressure, condensate can usually be expelled from the coils without much trouble. But when the system operates below full capacity or at lower pressures, gravity-assisted drainage becomes critical. That’s why the return headers are pitched downward—to ensure that condensate flows smoothly out of the coils.

Got a unique coil configuration or simply want to learn more about commercial HVAC coils? Drop us an email—we’re always here to help!

Nationwide Coils specializes in creating custom coils for virtually any scenario, whether it’s designing replacement parts for OEMs or crafting solutions tailored to specific applications.