Engineered Solutions
Freeze Block® Coils
Freeze Protection for HVAC Coils That Works in Real Conditions
Freeze events don’t just damage equipment.
They shut down buildings, cause water damage, and create costly downtime.
Freeze Block is designed for what actually happens in the field, not just how systems are supposed to operate.
- Prevents coil rupture during freeze events
- Works without relying on controls or power
- Drop-in replacement, no additional footprint
ENGINEER SHORTCUTS
The Real Cost of a Freeze Event
The cost is never just the coil. It’s everything around it.
A frozen coil is just the starting point. What follows is where the real cost shows up.
- Water damage to surrounding spaces
- Emergency labor and crane costs
- System downtime and operational disruption
- Risk to critical environments like healthcare and labs
Why Traditional Coil Freeze Protection Falls Short
Even well-designed systems freeze. Not because they were engineered incorrectly. Because real buildings don’t operate under perfect conditions. Freeze Block isn’t a replacement for good design, controls, or operation. It’s built for the moments you don’t plan for.
Power or Plant Failure
When power is lost, pumps stop and air handlers shut down. The inside of the unit quickly matches outdoor temperature.
Mechanical & Control Failures
Dampers stick or fail open. Actuators fail. Cold air reaches the coil in ways the system wasn't designed for.
Human Error
Setpoints get adjusted. Safeties get bypassed. Coils that were supposed to be drained get missed. What “should” happen and what actually happens aren’t always the same.
Extreme Cold Events
Temperatures can drop faster than expected, arrive before seasonal prep is complete, or exceed design assumptions. Weather doesn’t follow schedules.
Draining Doesn’t Guarantee Protection
Draining reduces risk, but it doesn’t eliminate it. Improper draining can leave water trapped in the coil. Even a small amount can freeze, expand, and rupture the tubing.
It doesn’t take a major failure. It takes one condition the system wasn’t ready for.
Freeze Block Coils are HVAC coils with freeze protection built in. When temperatures drop, the Freeze Block valve relieves pressure in the coil, allowing it to freeze without rupturing.
Available on hot water, chilled water, and steam coils. Every Freeze Block coil is backed by a 30-month warranty against freeze damage.
A Different Approach to Freeze Protection
Most protection strategies are designed to prevent freezing. Freeze Block is designed for something different. It allows the coil to freeze without rupturing.
How Freeze Block Works
1
Valve senses pressure or temperature change
2
Releases controlled fluid
3
Coil freezes without rupturing
4
System returns to operation after thaw
Proven Where Failure Isn’t an Option
Tested to -74°F
30-month freeze protection warranty
5,000+ Installations
Freeze Block Works With Any OEM Air Handling Unit Manufacturer
Whether you’re specifying a custom-built unit or selecting from a catalog line, you can add in Freeze Block coils.
We can work directly with the manufacturer to have Freeze Block factory-installed before the unit ships to your facility or job site. That means your air handling units arrive ready to go with freeze protection already built in.
How OEM Integration Works
- Compatible with any OEM manufacturer
- Factory-installed before shipping to your facility or job site
- Also available for field installation on existing equipment
- No additional footprint or modifications needed
Resources & Documentation
Freeze Block Toolbox
Why It Matters
Freeze Protection
Glycol Reduction
Material Spec Table
|
Tube OD |
1/2″ (Die 16), 5/8″ (Die 1 & 2) |
|
Tube Material |
Copper |
|
Tube Wall |
1/2″ OD: .022″ min (.016″ not available); 5/8″ OD: all options |
|
Fin Material |
Aluminum (all options), Copper (all options) |
|
Fin Height |
Max 48″ (over 48″ requires Cooney Coil review) |
|
Fin Length |
Max 144″ (over 144″ requires Cooney Coil review) |
|
Rows |
1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 |
|
Circuiting |
1-row: half / 2-row: full / 4-row: full or double / 6-row: full (double = opposite end) / 8-row: full or double / 10-row: full (double = opposite end) / 12-row: full or double |
|
Header Material |
Standard, Type L Copper, Type K Copper, Cupro-Nickel |
|
AHRI Certification |
Certified in accordance with AHRI Force-Circulation Air-Cooling and Air-Heating Coils Certification Program which is based on AHRI Standard 410 within the Range of Standard Rating Conditions listed in Table 1 of the Standard. Certified units may be found in the AHRI Directory at www.ahridirectory.com |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my HVAC coils freezing?
Coils freeze when the system encounters conditions it wasn't designed for — power failure, control malfunction, human error, or extreme cold. Freeze Block is specifically built for these real-world scenarios.
What makes Freeze Block different from other freeze protection?
Most solutions try to prevent freezing. Freeze Block allows the coil to freeze without rupturing — responding to both pressure and temperature threats simultaneously. It was developed and patented by Cooney Technologies to address scenarios that older technologies miss: freezing from the outside in and from the inside out.
How is Freeze Block different from a coil freeze plug?
Both are designed to protect coils from freeze damage — but they work very differently. Freeze plugs use rupture caps that burst when pressure builds, releasing water through open ports. That stops the coil from rupturing, but it exposes your facility to flooding and requires locating and replacing every burst cap before the system can go back online.
Freeze Block responds to both pressure and temperature. When the valve activates, it displaces a controlled volume of water — then reseats. The coil can return to normal operation after thaw without flooding the facility or requiring significant repair work.
Why are my HVAC coils freezing?
Thousands of facilities across North America rely on Freeze Block to protect their coils every winter. From major university campuses to pharmaceutical manufacturing to government buildings — including The White House and Ford Motor Company. If the facility can't afford a freeze event, Freeze Block is usually in it.
What maintenance does Freeze Block require?
Minimal. Freeze Block has very few moving parts and no complex or motorized valves.
Can Freeze Block be retrofitted onto an existing coil?
Freeze Block technology cannot be added to existing coils due to the brazing required and limited access. We can build a direct-fit replacement coil for any existing fluid or steam coil.
Can Freeze Block be installed in a new air handler?
Yes. Freeze Block integrates with any new AHU — catalog or custom. We've collaborated with numerous air handler manufacturers to factory-install Freeze Block coils before shipment.
Can Freeze Block help me reduce or eliminate glycol?
In many systems, yes. Glycol is a common freeze protection approach, but it comes with a cost. Its thick viscosity and low heat transfer characteristics drive up energy consumption and maintenance. Freeze Block coils can be a strong glycol alternative in the right situation, and when paired with a Smart Coil system, the case gets even stronger.
What does the 30-month warranty cover?
All Freeze Block coils are backed by a 30-month warranty against freeze damage. Add the Smart Coil freeze alert system and that extends to 48 months.
Let’s Get Your Project Started
Whether you have a question about Freeze Block technology, want to set up a lunch and learn, or you're ready to request a quote — our team is here to help.