Water quality and pressurisation has been undergoing a quiet but significant revolution. As commercial and industrial systems evolve, many traditional approaches to system pressurisation, air and dirt separation, and water quality management are struggling to keep pace. What worked reliably for decades is now often falling short - and the risks of not adapting are growing.
Five Problems, One Solution? Not Anymore.
In the past, one product might have ticked as many as five boxes: managing pressure, removing air, separating dirt, protecting the boiler, and maintaining system stability. But today’s systems demand a more nuanced approach. Simplistic solutions no longer address the complex interactions happening inside modern closed-loop heating, cooling, and combined systems.
As system design has changed, temperatures have come down dramatically. With the push towards lower-carbon heating and cooling, many modern systems operate at significantly reduced flow and return temperatures compared to older designs.
A common and avoidable issue arises when commissioning personnel arrive on-site without having been provided with the calculated static height settings for the building. This often leads to incorrect equipment setup, which in turn can cause water quality problems.
Static height calculations have for many years dominated pressurisation system design and are no less relevant today, while changes in temperature dynamics have introduced new challenges around aeration and pressure stability.
Pressurisation and Air Management Are No Longer Separate Conversations
Where once pressurisation vessels and simple air vents may have sufficed, modern systems require integrated solutions that address air, dirt, pressure, and water quality holistically. Vacuum degassing - once seen as an expensive luxury - is increasingly becoming a necessity, especially as lower temperatures reduce the effectiveness of standard deaeration units. Simple air separators or automatic vents often can’t cope with the persistent microbubbles and dissolved gases that undermine system efficiency, corrode pipework, and shorten equipment life.
The Rise of 'DIY Engineering' – And Its Dangers
Another growing concern is the rise of piecemeal system modifications, often carried out without proper consultation with water quality specialists. With more remote working, fewer site visits, and mounting time pressures, consultants and contractors sometimes turn to internet searches or supplier sales pitches to make decisions, rather than seeking expert advice. The result? Systems are fitted with mismatched components: wrong vessels, incompatible pressurisation units, undersized air removal devices - all contributing to poor performance, inefficiency, and expensive call-backs.
Every System Is Different - And Interconnected
One of the most common mistakes is treating water quality components as isolated fixes rather than part of a larger ecosystem. No single piece of equipment can compensate for fundamental design flaws or poor integration. Dirt, air, pressure and chemical balance all interact. An adjustment to one part of the system affects every other part. The days of 'fit it and forget it' are gone.
Why It’s Time to Re-Evaluate
The industry is at a crossroads. As system designs, operating temperatures, and expectations change, so must the approach to water quality management. Professionals across the supply chain - from specifiers and consultants to facilities managers and installers - must take a step back and recognise that:
Lower system temperatures reduce the effectiveness of traditional deaeration.
Vacuum degassing is increasingly necessary to ensure dissolved gases are properly managed.
Static height-based pressurisation calculation settings must be available for the commissioning process.
Integrated solutions addressing both air and dirt removal are now essential.
Specialist input is critical - DIY fixes are increasingly leading to costly failures.
A Call for Industry Collaboration
There is no 'one size fits all' solution anymore. The best outcomes come from involving qualified water quality and pressurisation specialists at the design stage, who can assess the full system and ensure the correct equipment is specified. The alternative - reactive, ad-hoc fixes - often lead to ongoing operational headaches and avoidable expense.
Conclusion
As the sector adapts to new energy demands, environmental standards, and system designs, understanding how air, dirt, pressure and temperature interact has never been more important. The industry must move beyond outdated solutions and embrace integrated, system-wide approaches that reflect the realities of modern HVAC and water quality management.
Looking ahead, the industry faces a real challenge: over the next five years, many seasoned water quality specialists will retire. This trend has been building for some time, and unless we start drawing in fresh, young talent, we risk a serious skills gap.