Choosing the right replacement coil means considering both physical fit and system performance. Changes in building loads, limited installation space, and demanding operating conditions can make a custom coil the better choice. This article explores when to consider a custom coil, the hidden costs of adapting standard coils, and how Raven Supply works with Modine to support coil measurement, selection, and design for your application.
When You Need a Custom Coil
Off-the-shelf coils are built in mass-produced, standardized sizes and capacities to fit general use cases. However, you may need a custom coil when:
The System Has Changed Since the Original Coil Was Specified
Buildings change, zones are added, and process loads change. When off-the-shelf coils don’t meet your application parameters, custom coils are the solution. Custom coils can be designed to meet your exact specifications and needs, including dimensions, leaving air and fluid temperatures, target temperature difference (ΔT), flow rates, and allowable pressure drops.
Exact Fit for Replacement Applications
When your products need to handle critical operations, such as environmental extremes, the current coil cannot physically reach the optimal performance; a custom coil may be more cost-effective than dismantling the unit or creating an opening in a wall. Modine builds from 6 inches to 410 inches and offers module and coil-section configurations for exact drop-in replacement matching your exact height, width, depth, and connection placements without requiring costly structural modifications.
The Hidden Costs of Standard Coils in Custom Applications
Selecting a standard coil for a specialized system might seem like a shortcut, but it introduces operational risks:
- Thermal Inefficiency: Standard circuiting and fin spacing often fail to match specific fluid flow rates, resulting in inadequate heat transfer or excessive pressure drops.
- Fit and Installation Challenges: Forcing a standard coil into an existing air handling unit (AHU) or tight equipment envelope frequently requires custom ductwork adapters, structural re-framing, and extended downtime.
- Accelerated Wear: Standard materials rarely hold up under harsh conditions—such as marine salt air, wastewater treatment facilities, or chemical processing plants—leading to rapid corrosion.
Key Advantages of Modine Custom Coils
Every custom coil built at Modine is engineered around the specific thermodynamic and spatial requirements of your application.
Not only does Raven supply coils, but Raven also specs them, measures them in the field, and runs the selection directly with Modine, which is a different and more useful thing when the question is whether to duplicate or redesign.
Modine’s certified selection software, Heatcraft Coil Calc, produces ratings in agreement with AHRI Standard 410 rating methods. With this software, we can generate a complete submittal package, including performance data, coil schedule, and certified approval drawings. The program provides performance data for Commercial and Industrial applications utilizing 0.375″, 0.500″, and 0.625″ tubing for fluid, evaporator, and condenser applications and 0.625″ and 1.00″ tubing for steam applications. Pairing that with on-site measurement is what closes the gap between a coil that fits and a coil that performs.
For the full product range, including heating coil, cooling coil, steam coil, evaporator coil and condenser coil, see Burners, Coils & Heat Exchangers.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I consider a custom coil instead of a standard replacement?
Consider a custom coil when standard options cannot meet your required dimensions, connection locations, heating or cooling performance, flow rates, or pressure-drop limits. Changes to building use or system loads are also reasons to re-assess the original coil selection.
Can a custom coil fit into an existing air handling unit?
A custom coil can be designed around the available space and connection locations. Accurate field measurements help confirm fit and identify installation constraints before manufacturing.
What information is needed to select a custom coil?
Useful information includes coil dimensions, connection sizes and locations, application type, airflow, fluid type and flow rate, entering and leaving temperatures, and allowable pressure drops. Existing drawings, equipment details, and site photos can also support the selection process.
Can a custom coil help reduce installation and operating costs?
A correctly selected custom coil may reduce the need for equipment modifications and help match heat-transfer performance to system requirements. Potential savings depend on the application, installation conditions, and coil design.
How can Raven Supply help with my coil replacement?
Raven Supply supports specification, field measurement, and coil selection directly with Modine. Contact our team to review your application and determine whether to duplicate your existing coil or develop an updated design.