There are a few aspects to consider when choosing the right type of chiller. What is the purpose of the unit, where will it be placed and are there any specific factors such as weight of the chiller that you need to consider? In this blog post we take you through the three main steps when selecting the right chiller for your specific use.
The first step involves considering its ultimate application – exactly what is it to be used for? Should it for example be used for air conditioning to increase comfort in an indoor climate system? If so, then the chiller will mostly run during the hotter part of the year, and will need to be able to handle big variations in load depending on the outside temperatures. Or is the chiller meant to cool down a data centre or a piece of machinery? In this case, the chiller will run all year round, and should be able to use the cooler winter air to precool the fluid and conserve energy. Also related to the application is deciding the optimum level of efficiency of the chiller.
The second step to consider is where the chiller will be installed – in an industrial area, city, on the countryside or close to the sea? Environments can be more or less aggressive to the exposed parts of the chiller. Another aspect that will affect your choice of chiller is noise. What level of noise will be acceptable in the installation environment? The quieter the chiller is, the higher the initial cost.
The final major choice to consider is whether you should pick an air cooled or a water cooled chiller. Water cooled chillers are usually lighter, while air cooled chillers are easier to install. If weight issues are a concern – for example, if the chiller is to be installed on a roof with weight limitations – or you have a ready source of water for cooling, then a water cooled chiller might be the best way to go. However, air cooled chillers are more commonly used.