Chiller Maintenance Improves Performance and HVAC Efficiency

Chillers are typically the single largest users of electricity in commercial facilities. As such, if they are well-maintained so they operate effectively, they can improve energy efficiency and reliability. The impact of proper maintenance really does pay off, increasing the life of the chiller and reducing energy costs. Without regular maintenance, energy use can double in just a few years, components can fail early and service interruptions can result.

Numbers say it all. For every $1 spent in chiller maintenance, managers can expect a return of $10 in operating costs and fewer repairs from breakdowns. Contrary to what you may think, new, high-efficiency chillers need even more maintenance, because they have tighter operational tolerances.

What Types of Maintenance Is Needed?

A clean chiller is an efficient chiller. For a chiller to transfer heat efficiently, heat-transfer surfaces must be kept clean.

1. Clean chiller tubes, removing accumulations of scale, sludge, or biological growth
2. Chemically treat the water to remove contaminants, preventing the accumulation of contaminants on heat-transfer surfaces.
3. Systems with cooling towers need ongoing chemical water treatment with the proper concentration of chemicals.

Keeping an operating log is a simple yet effective way to determine maintenance needs.

1. Log data to track chiller performance, condenser-water supply and return temperatures, evaporator and condenser pressures, oil temperatures ad pressure, and drive-motor current and voltage.
2. Record data daily for a historical record of operating conditions to identify trends and potential problems.
3. Log routine and breakdown maintenance activities and review the data regularly.

Inspections are essential to the chiller’s performance and efficiency.

1. Schedule inspections regularly, both routine and disassembling the chiller.
2. Test and analyze the chiller’s oil and refrigerant annually.
3. Monitor the operation of the chiller’s purge unit to identify leaks.
4. Conduct Eddy-current testing to check the chiller tubes.

Developing maintenance schedules and monitoring the maintenance program will help managers proactively impact the efficiency of the chillers and maximize energy efficiency.

To learn more about how Chiller Maintenance Improves Performance and HVAC Efficiency, please contact Crockett Facilities Services Inc. (CFSI), a mechanical services contractor, by calling 202.600.2787 or email sales@crockett-facilities.com. CFSI provides 24/7 commercial mechanical and HVAC services throughout Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. So give us a call today to find out how our MSCA GreenSTAR certified service technicians can improve your HVAC performance and energy efficiency.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, August 1st, 2013 at . Both comments and pings are currently closed.