Indoor Air Quality
Problems with indoor airflow and the buildup of toxins and how Coil Defender solves these issues.
Indoor Air Quality
Problems with indoor airflow and the buildup of toxins and how Coil Defender solves these issues.
Information
Microbiotica Contaminants
Contaminants and HVAC
At OzKem, we see asset efficiency not just as energy saved, but as value created. By protecting heat exchange coils and keeping systems performing at their peak, our coatings reduce energy waste and extend asset life.
This efficiency translates directly into lower operating costs and measurable carbon savings—outcomes that can be monetised through reduced energy bills, stronger ESG performance, and alignment with emerging carbon credit markets.
For our customers, efficiency becomes more than a technical advantage—it becomes a pathway to profitability and a tangible step toward net zero. Efficiency isn’t just performance, it’s profit.
What causes the odour?
In order to find a permanent solution to the Dirty Sock Syndrome, it was first necessary to understand how the odor was generated. Curiously, the cause of the problem all along was the simple growth of mold and bacteria on the coil, as indicated by the effect of early cleaners.
Adding to the problem were the water and organic debris in the drain pan, which formed a fertile garden of microorganisms. The slow warming of this contaminated water released a plethora of spores and toxins into the air that served the conditioned space.
Why the problem appeared during the heating season was linked to the “reverse mode” operation for defrosting the outdoor coil. This process generated moisture on the indoor coil, giving dormant microorganisms and residual organic matter new life, and providing a simple but effective odor release and carrier mechanism.
In today’s high-efficiency units, the old problem is exacerbated. Larger coils and more closely spaced fins create an expanded surface area to retain even more organic material.
In addition, they retain more moisture, stay wet longer, and their drain pans hold more water and organic debris. All of these factors contribute to a longer and more productive cycle of microbial activity.
This greater activity equates to more spores, toxins, and odors for a longer period of time.
Contaminants and HVAC
At OzKem, we see asset efficiency not just as energy saved, but as value created. By protecting heat exchange coils and keeping systems performing at their peak, our coatings reduce energy waste and extend asset life.
This efficiency translates directly into lower operating costs and measurable carbon savings—outcomes that can be monetised through reduced energy bills, stronger ESG performance, and alignment with emerging carbon credit markets.
For our customers, efficiency becomes more than a technical advantage—it becomes a pathway to profitability and a tangible step toward net zero. Efficiency isn’t just performance, it’s profit.
What causes the odour?
In order to find a permanent solution to the Dirty Sock Syndrome, it was first necessary to understand how the odor was generated. Curiously, the cause of the problem all along was the simple growth of mold and bacteria on the coil, as indicated by the effect of early cleaners.
Adding to the problem were the water and organic debris in the drain pan, which formed a fertile garden of microorganisms. The slow warming of this contaminated water released a plethora of spores and toxins into the air that served the conditioned space.
Why the problem appeared during the heating season was linked to the “reverse mode” operation for defrosting the outdoor coil. This process generated moisture on the indoor coil, giving dormant microorganisms and residual organic matter new life, and providing a simple but effective odor release and carrier mechanism.
In today’s high-efficiency units, the old problem is exacerbated. Larger coils and more closely spaced fins create an expanded surface area to retain even more organic material.
In addition, they retain more moisture, stay wet longer, and their drain pans hold more water and organic debris. All of these factors contribute to a longer and more productive cycle of microbial activity.
This greater activity equates to more spores, toxins, and odors for a longer period of time.
The Coil Defender Solution
COIL DEFENDER cleaners break down the contamination and make it easy to wash away. The COIL DEFENDER coatings are impregnated with Silver Ions, a broad spectrum EPA approved biocide usually commercially around the world to stop bacteria and mould from growing. The application of COIL DEFENDER will stop this growth and improve indoor air quality and stop the Damp Sock Syndrome.