London, Ontario, is a city that runs on hardworking buildings, such as hospitals, universities, office towers, industrial facilities, and commercial spaces that operate through every season. Behind the scenes, your HVAC systems are doing the heavy lifting to keep those buildings safe, comfortable, and efficient.
But here’s the part many building operators don’t see: the performance of your HVAC system depends heavily on the condition of the water moving through it.
Whether you manage a closed-loop heating system, a chilled-water loop, or a combination of both, proper HVAC water treatment is one of the most important factors in preventing breakdowns, reducing energy waste, and extending equipment life. And in a region like London, with its hard water, temperature swings, and mix of older and newer building stock, it matters even more.
When water isn’t properly treated, it doesn’t take long for problems to surface. Some issues are subtle. Others can shut down a building at the worst possible moment.
Here’s what tends to show up first:
London’s naturally hard water brings a high mineral load. Without treatment, calcium and magnesium build up inside pipes and heat exchangers. Even a thin layer of scale forces boilers, pumps, and heat exchangers to work harder, driving up energy costs and reducing heating and cooling efficiency.
Steel, copper, and other system metals slowly corrode when oxygen, pH imbalance, or poor water quality are present. Left unchecked, corrosion turns into leaks, failing pumps, and expensive repairs. In older buildings across London, this is one of the most common causes of HVAC downtime.
Over time, rust particles, debris, and biofilm settle in low-flow areas. This “sludge” reduces circulation, blocks strainers, and starves equipment of the flow it needs. The result? Hot and cold spots, noisy systems, and reduced comfort for anyone in the building.
As scale, corrosion, and fouling add up, systems start consuming more energy just to deliver the same heating or cooling output. For property managers watching operating budgets closely, the impact is significant.
London’s climate and water quality create specific challenges that make water treatment essential, not optional.
With cold winters and humid summers, HVAC systems here run nearly year-round. The more a system runs, the more important it is to keep water chemistry stable.
London has some of the harder water in southwestern Ontario. Without treatment, mineral buildup is almost guaranteed.
Many commercial and institutional buildings in the city, especially in the downtown core and near Western University, operate with legacy HVAC systems that depend on clean, stable water chemistry to perform reliably.
A well-managed HVAC water treatment program is proactive, not reactive. It should include:
Closed heating and cooling loops need balanced chemistry to prevent corrosion, oxygen-related issues, and particulate buildup.
For systems using glycol for freeze protection, concentration must be monitored and maintained to avoid pump strain, poor heat transfer, or damage.
On-site testing and monitoring help verify that your system stays within safe operating ranges.
Programs are designed specifically for boiler feeds, chilled water loops, low-flow systems, and unique water conditions in each building.
Clear reporting helps operators stay ahead of potential problems and maintain compliance requirements.
This kind of approach doesn’t just “clean up” your water, it stabilizes the entire HVAC system.
When HVAC water treatment is done properly, you see the benefits immediately and over the long term:
For property managers responsible for multiple buildings, it also creates consistency across the portfolio, reducing emergencies and saving both time and resources.
WMC works with commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities across London and southwestern Ontario to build and maintain HVAC water treatment programs that match the demands of each building. From mechanical contractors and facility managers to owners and operators, our goal is simple: keep your systems clean, efficient, and reliable.
If your HVAC system hasn’t been tested recently or if you’ve noticed performance issues, it’s worth starting the conversation.
Contact the WMC Water team to learn more about HVAC water treatment for your facility.