Winter Weather Signals Time to Plan Chiller Startup Strategies

January 28, 2026

Winter is often the last time many think about turning on their air conditioner or auxiliary chiller systems. Yet now is exactly when facility managers and water treatment service providers should be planning their cooling loop startup strategy for a smoother return to service this spring. Cortec^® shares how and why the Cooling Loop Croc^™ can help.

Chiller Startup Challenges

When warmer weather prompts a return to service for comfort cooling systems or process chillers in hospitals, universities, district cooling centers, data centers, and manufacturing facilities, specialists start refilling their cooling loops and applying water treatment chemistry. The challenge, though, is that it can take more than a week for the system to return to normal operating levels of water treatment chemistry. In the meantime, highly oxygenated refill water increases the risk for corrosion, threatening to degrade the metal and “poison” the water with high iron levels that render the water treatment chemistry less effective. Furthermore, biofilm that has built up over the off-season harbors bacteria and reduces heat transfer efficiency.

Corrosion Inhibitor + Organic Dispersant

The Cooling Loop Croc^™ tackles both of these problems with an easy-to-use water-soluble pouch of corrosion inhibitors and organic dispersant. One Cooling Loop Croc^™ treats 250 gallons (0.95 m³) of water and dissolves when added to a turbulent area of the water to allow adequate mixing. The specialty blend is nitrite-, phosphate-, and chromate-free; includes protection for multiple metal types (including copper and brass); and inhibits corrosion below and above the surface of the water. It also helps lift biofilm away from the metal surface so that routine biocide treatment can access the biological buildup and remove it more easily.

Respond to the Chill

Winter may be longer and colder than many of us like, but it should also be the signal to plan for warmer weather. Achieve smoother cooling system startup and  better asset longevity by introducing the Cooling Loop Croc^™ to your or your client’s spring startup strategy as soon as possible. Or keep it on hand as a stop gap  for protection during early spring warming spells when the system may only be turned on for a day or two. Contact Cortec^® for additional tips on keeping cooling loop systems corrosion-free for long-term service.

Keywords: chiller startup strategies, chiller system startup, HVAC chiller startup, chiller system readiness, cooling loop management, corrosion control, power plant chillers, data center cooling, Cortec, Cooling Loop Croc

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