Finding the right copper coil heater or heat exchanger depends on application — hydronic heating, wood furnace coils, homebrewing chillers, or custom tubing. Below is a concise comparison of five relevant coil and tubing products selected for performance, material, and typical use cases.
| Product | Primary Material / Use | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Water to Air Heat Exchanger 18×18 (AB) | Copper Tubes / Forced Air Heating | 1″ Copper Ports, 12 fins per inch, 3 rows tubing |
| 16×18 Heat Exchanger Water To Air (GPOAS) | Copper Tubes / Plenum Coil | Robust steel case, 12 fins per inch, MNPT ports |
| Copper Tubing 3/4″ OD x 50 Ft (GOORY) | 99.9% C12200 Copper Tube | 50 ft seamless refrigeration-grade copper |
| Copper Immersion Wort Chiller Coil (QUEMARQUE) | Red Copper / Brewing Chiller | Food-grade copper, fast wort cooling |
| QUELECO Stainless Steel Heating Coil Heat Exchanger | 304 Stainless Steel Spiral Coil | Customizable dimensions, wood-fired hot tub coil |
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Water To Air Heat Exchanger 18×18
This 18×18 water-to-air heat exchanger uses three rows of seamless copper tubes combined with aluminum fins to transfer heat from hot water into airflow. The unit features 1″ copper sweat ports and a rigid steel casing to support the coil assembly. With 12 aluminum fins per inch, the coil maximizes air-to-water heat transfer for wood furnace or hydronic applications.
Key performance points from the manufacturer include a high BTU capacity depending on system configuration, and compatibility with plenum installations where the coil is slipped into the duct. The copper tube and fin arrangement is designed for high conductivity, while the steel envelope provides structural durability. This product is tailored for forced-air systems that require a robust finned coil and copper porting for plumbing connections.
16×18 Heat Exchanger Water To Air
The 16×18 forced-air heat exchanger provides similar construction with multiple copper tube rows and dense aluminum fin pack. The manufacturer highlights a 20×20 steel case (case support varies by model) and base brazed contact points to withstand higher pressures and temperatures in heating service.
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Installation is simplified with multiple MNPT ports for plumbing. The compact footprint is intended for use inside plenums or retrofit into existing HVAC layouts. Performance features mirror other hydronic-to-air coils: high thermal conductivity copper tubing, aluminum fins for airflow heat transfer, and a durable steel housing for mechanical stability. This unit is appropriate for residential heating systems using hot water from outdoor wood furnaces or boilers.
Copper Tubing 3/4″ OD x 50 Ft – GOORY
This 50-foot seamless copper tubing coil is made from annealed UNS C12200 (refrigeration-grade) copper, meeting ASTM B280 specifications. The tubing dimension (3/4″ OD) and thin wall thickness make it suitable for custom coil forming, heat exchangers, refrigeration, and HVAC repairs.
Benefits outlined by the brand include excellent thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and nitrogen-charged treatment for oxidation control. Buyers often use this tubing to fabricate custom copper coils for immersion, brazed heat exchangers, or replacement runs in HVAC. The continuous coil format simplifies cutting and forming to the exact length needed for a copper coil heater or chiller application.
Copper Immersion Wort Chiller Coil With Universal Joint
The immersion wort chiller is a food-grade red copper coil intended for homebrewing. Its design emphasizes high cooling efficiency using copper’s thermal conductivity to cool wort rapidly after boil. The product states it can reduce several gallons of wort from near-boil temperatures to yeast-safe pitching temperatures in a short time, dependent on water flow and tap temperature.
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Key features include a universal joint for hose connection and silicone tube fittings. This coil is optimized for sanitary brewing operations and rapid heat transfer, making it directly relevant where copper coil heaters (or coolers) are evaluated based on conductive performance and food-grade material requirements.
QUELECO Stainless Steel Heating Coil Heat Exchanger
Although not copper, this 304 stainless steel spiral coil is included because it serves the same practical role as a coil heater for wood-fired hot tubs, outdoor baths, and similar heat-exchange tasks. The coil is food grade, corrosion-resistant, and offered in a long spiral length with 3/4″ Male NPT connectors.
The manufacturer highlights customizable dimensions and connector options, plus the benefit of stainless’s longer service life compared to copper in highly corrosive or outdoor environments. It operates without electricity by transferring wood-fire heat into water circulation, making it an alternative to copper where durability and anti-corrosion are priorities.
Buying Guide: How To Choose A Copper Coil Heater
Selecting the right coil heater requires matching material, geometry, and system interfaces to your application. Below are the key considerations to compare products effectively.
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Material And Corrosion Resistance
- Copper (C12200, C110, etc.) offers excellent thermal conductivity and ease of brazing/forming. Suitable for most heat exchange and brewing applications.
- Stainless Steel (304) trades thermal conductivity for enhanced corrosion resistance and longevity in aggressive or outdoor environments.
- Consider fluid chemistry (chlorides, glycol) when choosing material to avoid accelerated corrosion.
Coil Geometry And Heat Transfer
- Tube Diameter And Wall Thickness: Larger OD or thicker walls affect flow resistance and thermal mass. Refrigeration-grade tubing often uses specific wall specs for pressure ratings.
- Number Of Rows & Fin Density: For air-to-water coils, more rows and higher fins-per-inch increase surface area and air-side heat transfer but can raise resistance and require higher static pressure fans.
- Coil Length & Contact Area: For immersion chillers or spiral coils, greater length/contact area speeds heat transfer but impacts flow rate and head loss.
Connection Types And Plumbing Compatibility
- Check port sizes (1″ NPT, 3/4″ NPT, sweat ports) and thread types to match existing plumbing or adaptors.
- For custom-built coils, continuous tubing coils allow brazing or flaring; factory coils may use MNPT or sweat connections for direct install.
Application-Specific Considerations
- Hydronic/Forced-Air Heating: Choose finned coils with copper tubes and appropriate air-side fins. Ensure cabinet/coil size fits plenums and mounting hardware.
- Homebrewing Wort Chillers: Food-grade copper with sanitary fittings and hose adapters is critical. Rapid cooling depends on flow rate and coil surface area.
- Custom Coil Fabrication: Buy seamless refrigeration-grade copper tubing if you plan to bend and assemble your own coil; annealed tubing is easier to form.
- Wood-Fired Baths/Outdoor Use: Consider stainless steel coils for corrosion resistance in continuous outdoor or wet environments.
Thermal Performance Metrics
- Look for manufacturer BTU capacities or documented temperature-drop rates for chillers. These quantify heat transfer potential under expected flows.
- For immersion chillers, cooling time from boil to target temperature under a given flow rate is a practical performance metric to compare.
Durability And Maintenance
- Inspect casing quality (for plenum coils), brazing at tube joints, and corrosion protection treatments (nitrogen-charged, annealed finish).
- Consider ease of cleaning and access for descaling when used with hard water or open fluids.
Installation And Fitment
- Confirm physical dimensions vs. available plenum or vessel space. Pre-drilled ports and mounting hardware can reduce installation complexity.
- For DIY coil projects, plan for bending tools, brazing equipment, or mechanical fittings to connect to plumbing systems.
Safety And Regulatory
- Use food-grade materials for any potable water or brewing applications.
- Ensure pressure ratings match system operating pressures and include appropriate relief devices in closed-loop systems.
Comparative Perspectives
- Copper Finned Coils (AB, GPOAS): Best for forced-air hydronic heating where high air-side heat transfer is needed. Evaluate BTU output and plenum fit.
- Seamless Copper Tubing (GOORY): Most flexible for custom coil fabrication; choose when bespoke geometry or repairs are required.
- Immersion Copper Chillers (QUEMARQUE): Optimized for rapid liquid cooling and food-safe applications.
- Stainless Spiral Coils (QUELECO): Consider when corrosion and longevity outweigh copper’s thermal advantage, especially outdoors.