Cooling Tower for HVAC Systems

A cooling tower for an HVAC system rejects the heat picked up by the chiller’s condenser water loop, sending it to atmosphere via evaporation. In a commercial building, that lets the chiller keep producing chilled water for air conditioning without overheating. The cooling tower is one of the largest pieces of plant in a water-cooled HVAC system, which makes selection, footprint and noise critical from the start of a project. 

The Role of a Cooling Tower in an HVAC System 

In a water-cooled HVAC system, the chiller absorbs heat from the building and dumps it into a condenser water loop. The cooling tower sits at the end of that loop, sprays the warm water across fill media, and rejects the heat through evaporation as outside air passes through. Cool water then returns to the chiller. Without the tower, the chiller has nowhere to put the heat, which is why specification of the tower has a direct impact on cooling capacity and energy performance. 

Choosing the Right Cooling Tower for HVAC Duty 

HVAC cooling tower selection starts with the chiller’s heat rejection load and the local wet bulb temperature, then layers in site constraints. Commercial buildings typically need a compact footprint, controllable noise, low energy draw, and easy access for maintenance. Roof and plant room locations each shape the choice of draught type and fan configuration. The right tower meets the duty under design conditions and still operates efficiently across the full year. 

Franklin Hodge Cooling Towers for HVAC Applications 

Our Carter Environmental cooling tower range covers HVAC duties from compact buildings to large commercial estates. The BAL series uses centrifugal fans and suits roof-top installations where ducted air handling is preferred. The BUC series is induced-draught with axial fans for higher flow rates at lower fan power. The SAN series is forced-draught with axial fans, balancing efficiency and footprint. All three are available in open or closed-circuit variants and handle water flow rates from 6 to 600 cubic metres per hour, which covers the full HVAC range. 

HVAC Cooling Towers in Commercial Buildings and Hospitals 

In offices, hotels, hospitals, and retail developments, the cooling tower is the heat rejection backbone of the building’s air conditioning. Hospitals add reliability and compliance pressure on top of the standard HVAC duty. Hotels and offices add noise sensitivity, particularly in city-centres and mixed-use locations, which is where our cooling tower noise reduction packages come in. Site-assembled construction also allows us to install towers in roof spaces and plant rooms where crane access is restricted. 

Maintaining an HVAC Cooling Tower Across Its Life 

HVAC cooling towers run year-round, so condition monitoring is part of normal operation. Regular cleaning controls scale and biofilm, planned inspections catch wear before it shortens the asset’s life, and the right water treatment regime keeps the system safe and efficient. Our cooling tower servicing covers scheduled maintenance, and for aged or underperforming towers, cooling tower refurbishment restores them without a full replacement. 

Specify an HVAC Cooling Tower with Franklin Hodge 

If you are putting a cooling tower into an HVAC scheme, the right starting point is the heat rejection load and the building constraints. Franklin Hodge designs and manufactures the Carter Environmental range from our Birmingham facility, so we can configure the tower to your duty and your site. Tell us the brief and we will come back to you with options. Contact us for more information.