Freeze Block Coils
Coil Replacement Company is a licensed provider of Cooney Freeze Block™ Coil Technology.
Freeze damage is a leading cause of coil failure in the HVAC industry. Water expands as it begins to freeze, and the subsequent pressure builds rapidly within the coil causing the coil tubes and/or return-bends to bulge and split. Cooney Freeze Block™ Coils are designed to allow expansion to occur within the coil by discharging a small volume of water through the expansion header and integrated pressure relief valve. This patented and proven technology alleviates coil repair, downtime, and the potentially serious damage from the thaw and flood that can occur with traditional coils. Backed by a 30 month warranty, Freeze Block™ Technology is available on our fluid (chilled and hot water), OEM replacement, and steam coils.
Whether you need a new Freeze Block™ coil, a custom-built replacement, or a direct OEM-match coil for an existing unit, CRC's engineering team builds every coil to your exact facility specifications.
What Are Freeze Block Coils, and How Are They Different?
Most coils are built to prevent freezing. Freeze Block™ coils take a different approach — they're engineered to let a coil freeze without rupturing it. A patented valve senses a change in temperature or pressure inside the coil and releases a small, controlled volume of fluid through the relief valve. Once conditions return to normal, the valve reseats and the coil returns to service — typically without the burst tubes, split return-bends, or flooding damage that occur with a standard fluid or steam coil (or with older "freeze plug" designs that rely on rupture caps and can't be reused once triggered).
This makes Freeze Block™ coils a purpose-built upgrade for any facility where a single power failure, control malfunction, stuck damper, or cold snap could otherwise mean an emergency coil replacement. It is available across CRC's fluid (chilled and hot water), OEM replacement, and steam coil lines.
Common Applications for Freeze Block™ Coil Technology
Freeze Block™ coils are most valuable anywhere a frozen or ruptured coil would mean costly downtime, water damage, or displaced occupants, including:
- Schools and universities — unit ventilators in classrooms that can't afford to lose heat mid-winter (see our Education, Government & Municipality work)
- Hospitals, labs, and data centers — mission-critical environments where a coil failure can't be tolerated (see Medical & Pharmaceutical)
- Commercial and multi-tenant properties — protecting air handlers and make-up air units from freeze-related flooding (see Commercial Properties)
- Manufacturing facilities — keeping process heating/cooling coils online through winter weather events (see Manufacturing)
- Mechanical contractors managing multiple client sites who need a reliable, warrantied fix for recurring freeze-damage service calls (see Mechanical Contractors)
An Additional Layer of Protection
CRC is proud to also offer Cooney Smart Coil Technology. The Smart Coil combines Freeze Block™ Technology with a cutting-edge sensor to provide advanced communication with the building automation system in a compact design. Available for new and existing Freeze Block™ Coils, the sensor can be wired to send a signal to the building automation system and programmed to turn off the fan, close outside air dampers, open a valve or circulating pump, signal an audio or visual alert at the site or control room, and/or send an alert to your email or mobile device. Smart Coil Technology is backed by a 48 month warranty on new coils.
Smart Coil essentially takes Freeze Block™ from a self-contained safeguard to a connected one — alerting your team the moment a freeze event occurs, not just after the damage is done.
Custom vs. Replacement/OEM-Match Freeze Block™ Coils
Coil Replacement Company assigns a dedicated engineer to review, visit, measure, or consult (virtually) by analyzing your exact requirements. CRC then generates drawings, performance evaluations, and quotations – while taking responsibility for your coil and/or product solution. We deliver unparalleled service, allowing the mechanical contractor and end-customer to focus on their core assets and property management responsibilities.
There are two ways to source a Freeze Block™ coil through CRC:
- OEM-Match Replacement — an exact-fit direct replacement engineered from our library of 100+ years of manufacturer drawings and performance data, built to match your existing coil's size, connections, and piping so installation is straightforward.
- Fully Custom Build — a coil engineered from scratch to your facility's exact airflow, capacity, and space requirements when no existing match is available or when specifications have changed.
Long-Lasting Performance That Increases Coil Lifespan
Coil Replacement Company has mastered the art of building direct replacement coils for manufacturers including, but not limited to, Aerofin, American-Standard, Bohn, Carrier, Daikin, Lennox, Marlo, McQuay, Modine/Heatcraft, Nesbitt, Temtrol, Trane, Westinghouse, and York. In addition to the aforesaid, CRC has 100+ years of OEM engineering drawings and proprietary performance heat transfer information. CRC uses this data to properly match the size and performance of your existing coil; the goal is to make the installation process as easy as possible, meaning the coil fits and the connections are aligned with the existing piping in your facility. Contact us for assistance in selecting from our available coatings, including ElectroFin® E-coat, Endura® Coatings (750+ Technologies), Infinigard, phenolic, and UV Topcoat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Freeze Block Coils
A Freeze Block™ coil is a hot water, chilled water, or steam HVAC coil with a patented pressure- and temperature-sensing valve built in. When freezing conditions occur, the valve releases a small, controlled amount of fluid, letting the coil freeze without rupturing, then reseats once temperatures return to normal.
Freeze plugs use rupture caps that burst under pressure and can't be reused. Freeze Block™ senses both temperature and pressure, releases a controlled amount of fluid, and reseats automatically, reducing water loss, downtime, and the need for repeat repairs after each freeze event.
Coils typically freeze due to conditions the system wasn't designed for, such as a power failure, control malfunction, stuck damper, human error, or an extreme cold snap. As trapped water freezes and expands, pressure builds until tubes or return-bends bulge and split.
Freeze Block™ Technology is available on CRC's fluid (chilled and hot water), OEM replacement, and steam coils, all backed by a 30-month warranty against freeze damage. Smart Coil upgrades extend that warranty to 48 months.
Why not give CRC a call now … and let’s work together to find the customized solution that is right for you!