Air-cooled packaged chillers are typically available in capacities between 8 to 550 tons of refrigeration, while water-cooled packaged chillers are typically available in 10 to 5,000 tons.
In the following table we have a comparison between the initial investment for each chiller, according to the condenser cooling:
| Investment initial chiller | 150 TRF | 300 TRF | 450 TRF | 600 TRF | 750 TRF |
| Cooled by air | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Cooled by water | 150% | 140% | 130% | 120% | 95% |
- This means that the condenser, compressor, and evaporator are included within the machine and are designed and configured from the factory for optimum performance and reliability, reducing design and lead time and simplifying installation.
- Water-cooled condenser chillers have the added complexity of condenser piping, pumps, cooling towers, and water controls, and their performance is highly installation-dependent.
- Most air-cooled condenser chillers are “packaged systems”.
- This means that the condenser, compressor, and evaporator are included within the machine and are designed and configured from the factory for optimum performance and reliability, reducing design and lead time and simplifying installation.
- Water-cooled condenser chillers have the added complexity of condenser piping, pumps, cooling towers, and water controls, and their performance is highly installation-dependent.
Liquid Cooling vs Air Cooling Electric Power Costs:
- Water-cooled chillers and refrigeration systems are generally more energy efficient than air-cooled ones.
- Since the wet bulb temperature is often significantly lower than the dry bulb temperature, the condensation temperature and pressure of the refrigerant in a water-cooled refrigeration system can be lower than in an air-cooled cycle.
- This means that the compressor needs to do less work and therefore consumes less energy.
- This efficiency advantage may decrease during a night operation because the dry bulb temperature tends to drop faster than the wet bulb temperature when the sun sets.
Where to learn all about chillers?
We have prepared a complete training in chilled water installations with chillers.
