FAQs

ThermaClear® reverses oil fouling by removing the boundary oil layer from interior coil walls, then forms a protective bond to help prevent future oil deposits, permanently restoring the system to peak performance.

According to ASHRAE, oil fouling of the heat transfer surfaces of HVAC systems will cause about a 7% efficiency loss in the first year alone. Then, a 5% loss in the second year, followed by an additional 2% loss each subsequent year after. Performance capacity and efficiency can degrade up to 30% or more over time) due to oil buildup on the internal surfaces of HVAC/R equipment.

While the return on investment usually occurs within 12 to 36 months, your specific payback will depend on your equipment's age, condition, and operational use. Additionally, factors like your climate zone and local utility rates may have an impact. Our engineering team can assist you in assessing your unique situation to determine what to expect.

No. Never, not once. ThermaClear® is so trusted that vital mission-critical facilities such as major financial institutions, FEMA & 911 command center operations, computer data centers, Police & Fire facilities, Art Museums, and International Airports have all treated their HVAC equipment with ThermaClear®.

One treatment of ThermaClear® lasts for the lifetime of the system. There is no need for multiple treatments unless the refrigerant is evacuated or contaminated. After approximately 100-150 hours of running time, the system will achieve the expected results.

Absolutely not. ThermaClear® has been installed in all standard original equipment manufacturers (OEM) HVAC brands. ECM Technologies includes an additional $1,000,000 assurance warranty for the life of the equipment. Furthermore, the Magnuson-Moss Act 15 U.S.C. 2301 enabled regulation of consumer product warranties, which prohibits OEMs from using warranty disclaimers in an unfair or misleading manner. Since ThermaClear® is 100% compatible with the treated HVAC/R equipment, it does not void. and will never compromise any OEM warranties.

ThermaClear® has been installed in 30-plus year-old water-cooled chillers and DX equipment, over 95% of which are still in operation. A recent survey of 1,000 units treated with ThermaClear® had an average equipment age of 11 years, with 37 of the units under 3 years old.

Yes. The first ThermaClear® treatments go back to the summer of 2017 when pilot programs first commenced. Over 95% of all equipment treated with ThermaClear® from 2017 to 2019 is still in use.

While ThermaClear® may be installed in virtually all HVAC-R systems, it should not be installed in equipment with coalescing oil separators or oil-free refrigeration circuits, such as magnetic bearing centrifugal chillers.

The OEMs disclose this in their operational manuals but do not make the consumer directly aware of this issue. The reason is quite simple; they have no way to address the issue, and until recently, a proven solution was not available to neutralize oil-fouling, super-lubricate the compressor, and restore efficiency.

ThermaClear® is installed in the low-pressure side of both water-cooled chillers and DX systems. Only certified and licensed HVAC professionals may install ThermaClear®. There are detailed instructions for treating both DX equipment and chillers.

The equipment must be running during the installation process, so there is no “downtime” or disruption of service. The actual installation process takes only a few minutes on DX / split systems and less than a few hours on water-cooled chillers. ThermaClear® begins working immediately after treatment.

ECM Technologies has specifications for both DX/Split systems and water-cooled chiller systems. The equipment-specific formulas work in both mineral and synthetic-based systems.

ThermaClear® is considered toxic and should not be disposed of into sewers or waterways, and is toxic to aquatic life. Residual and empty containers must be disposed of in accordance with local laws (see SDS for more details).

ThermaClear® is shippable by air, land, or sea and has no special handling constraints beyond those normally used for refrigerant oil. It should be stored out of direct sunlight at room temperature.

• Material Safety Data Sheets

• ASTM compatibility testing reports

• Efficacy Case Studies.

• Consumer statements

• Video documentation

ThermaClear® is formulated and manufactured in the United States in a secure, ISO-9001 chemical manufacturing facility and distributed out of Phoenix, AZ.

ThermaClear® is fully compatible and safe to use with the new HFO refrigerants that are being released to the market. Additionally, the installation process for ThermaClear® is identical, with no variations.

The International Facilities Management Association is a global organization with approximately 24,000 members that focuses on the collective advancement of knowledge and value for facilities management professionals. The prestigious innovation award is selected by an IFMA judging panel, which includes a body of IFMA champions, IFMA fellows, qualified engineering professionals, facility management experts, and other industry experts.