Chiller
technology in the past few years has improved tremendously, as
evidenced by the remarkable gains in efficiency in these large
machines. From typical averages of 1 kW/ton in the 1980s, today’s
chillers can achieve power consumption levels as low as 0.34 kW/ton
with typical operating ranges in the 0.5-0.6 kW/ton levels.
In this example,
a 160,000 sq. ft. telecommunications facility
underwent a
chiller replacement. The piping system was converted to
primary-secondary, VFDs were utilized on one chiller and some of the
pumping, cooling towers were replaced, and a new set of digital
controls were implemented. From our specifications, these changes
resulted in a highly efficient system that is easy to operate.
