The HVACR system (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration) of a yacht or a boat is essential, however, many times it is not given the same attention as other parts of the boat, such as the engine maintenance.
Imagine for a moment that you are thousands of miles from the coast and you begin to notice failures in the operation of the air conditioning, in the hot or cold water systems, or in the refrigeration circuits. Comfort and above all security would be seriously compromised.
For this reason, at Heavy Seas, thanks to our extensive experience in the nautical sector, we are aware of all the problems that may occur. For you to take them into account, we are going to list the most common among our clients.
The most common cooling problems on superyachts.
On many yachts, especially larger vessels, seawater is used to dissipate heat from the coolant and achieve a change of state in the coolant, allowing it to function properly. The cooling process of the ship’s rooms involves the change of state of the refrigerant, which condenses dissipating heat onto the seawater, hence the seawater circulation circuit must be checked to ensure proper flow. As well as review the circulator equipment to verify that all its components are in good condition.
-Clogging in the heat exchanger:
There are many times we have seen how the water intake or the heat exchanger get clogged by algae, sediments or other debris, so the heat transfer is less efficient and affects the performance and efficiency of the refrigeration system.
-Corrosion in components:
Corrosion is another big problem. Over time, the components of the water system such as pipes, valves and the heat exchanger itself, corrode and generate refrigerant leaks, losing efficiency and causing additional damage if not detected in time.
-Refrigerant leaks:
Both of the above points can cause refrigerant to leak, but so can the vibrations and movements of the yacht while at sea, as these can put pressure on connections and gaskets and cause them to become damaged or loosen over time, affecting performance and the system’s ability to transfer heat and cold.
-Load imbalance:
Depending on weather conditions and the location of the vessel, there may be an imbalance in the heating and cooling load in different areas of the yacht.
For example, during cold nights, the areas of the yacht that are most exposed to cold wind need more heating to maintain a comfortable temperature, while the other areas require less. The same thing happens during the day with the sun and high temperatures. To address this issue, advanced HVACR systems on yachts can include separate zones or areas with independent temperature control so that heating and cooling can be adjusted according to the needs of the moment. The most modern systems have built-in temperature sensors.
Good system design and configuration, along with the use of advanced technologies, is essential to address this problem.
-Electrical overload:
It often occurs when an electrical circuit is subjected to a higher current than it is designed to safely handle. This can happen when too many electrical devices are connected to the same circuit or when some component of the electrical system fails causing a sudden increase in current. Overcharging can result in damage to connected devices, excessive heating of wiring, and even a risk of fire.
How can you prevent this common problem? First of all, it is essential that you have an electrical system suitable for the dimensions of your boat. With separate circuits for different types of devices. In addition, to correctly distribute the electrical charge (as we have discussed in the previous point) and avoid connecting too many devices to the same circuit. The use of protections such as circuit breakers and fuses is also essential when it comes to disconnecting the circuit in case of overload and preventing further damage. As we have been able to verify, the most common failures are usually caused by the lack of regular maintenance that includes cleaning the filters and inspecting the components, which can allow the accumulation of dirt and corrosion. So they are totally avoidable!
At Heavy Seas, we can guarantee the best system conditions for any type of vessel. With our extensive knowledge and experience in the nautical sector, we can guarantee the best solutions, from installation to any service.
