Sub-Zero Taps Innovas’ Helios TCS to Optimize Chiller Efficiency at New Iowa Plant
Innovas Technologies is proud to announce the successful commissioning of its Helios® Tube Cleaning System (TCS) at Sub-Zero Group, Inc.’s new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This installation marks another milestone in the ongoing adoption of high-efficiency, automated heat exchanger maintenance solutions across mission-critical industrial and commercial cooling applications.
Sub-Zero’s $140.6 million manufacturing facility, which broke ground in 2023, is one of the largest new industrial developments in Eastern Iowa. The 400,000-square-foot plant will significantly expand the company’s capacity to produce premium refrigeration products under the Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove brands. With plans to bring more than 400 jobs to the region, the facility represents a long-term investment in both innovation and sustainability.
To support its ambitious efficiency and performance goals, Sub-Zero selected Innovas Technologies’ Helios Tube Cleaning System to optimize the plant’s chiller performance as part of its central utility systems. Helios is an advanced, automatic cleaning system that prevents fouling in the condenser tubes of water-cooled chillers—one of the most common and costly causes of performance degradation in HVAC and industrial cooling systems.
Why Helios?
Sub-Zero’s new manufacturing plant is designed to reflect the company’s commitment to precision, performance, and quality—values that align seamlessly with the capabilities of the Helios system. Traditional tube cleaning methods, such as manual brushing or chemical treatments, often result in downtime, labor costs, and inconsistent outcomes. Helios eliminates these inefficiencies by delivering continuous, real-time cleaning without interrupting chiller operation.
Here’s how it works: The Helios system uses engineered cleaning balls that are periodically injected into the chilled water circuit. These balls scour the internal surfaces of condenser tubes, dislodging biofilm, scale, and debris before they can accumulate. The system then captures and recirculates the balls for future cleaning cycles. This closed-loop, automated process ensures peak thermal efficiency is maintained around the clock.
Benefits of the Helios system include:
- Up to 30% energy savings by preserving heat transfer performance
- Reduced carbon footprint through decreased electrical consumption
- Extended equipment life by minimizing thermal and mechanical stress
- Significant reduction in maintenance labor and downtime
For a facility like Sub-Zero’s, which depends on consistent environmental control and high equipment uptime to support advanced manufacturing processes, these advantages are critical.
Innovation Supporting Innovation
Sub-Zero’s new Cedar Rapids plant is not just a manufacturing hub—it’s a reflection of the company’s future. By incorporating technologies like the Helios Tube Cleaning System, Sub-Zero is ensuring that its infrastructure meets the highest standards of operational excellence and sustainability.
At Innovas Technologies, we’re honored to partner with forward-thinking companies like Sub-Zero that value innovation, efficiency, and responsible energy use. The commissioning of Helios at this landmark facility demonstrates the growing demand for smart maintenance solutions that deliver long-term performance and measurable returns.
As more manufacturers adopt next-generation automation and energy management tools, the Helios TCS continues to set the industry standard for intelligent chiller maintenance.
About Innovas Technologies
Innovas Technologies designs and manufactures advanced tube cleaning systems that dramatically improve the performance of water-cooled chillers and heat exchangers. Our Helios® TCS has been installed in major healthcare, higher education, industrial, and district energy facilities across the globe.
To learn more about how the Helios system can improve your facility’s energy performance, visit: https://innovastechnologies.com/helios-tcs/
