Can ATC service older chillers?

ATC has extensive experience supporting legacy equipment manufactured under both the ATC and Thermal Exchange brands.

However, older equipment needs to be considered individually. As chillers age, some original components may become obsolete or unavailable, while changes to refrigerant legislation can affect the practicality of maintaining older refrigeration systems.

We therefore cannot guarantee that every legacy chiller can be repaired.

Several factors can determine whether repairing an older chiller remains practical, including:

• The age and overall condition of the equipment
• Availability of compatible replacement components
• Type and availability of the refrigerant
• Condition of the refrigerant and coolant circuits
• Extent and cost of the repair required
• Current regulatory requirements
• Whether further failures are likely due to the age of other components

A relatively straightforward component replacement may make continued service practical, while a major repair on much older equipment may warrant considering alternative options.

Refrigerant technology and regulation have changed considerably during the lifetime of many legacy chillers.

Some older refrigerants are now subject to restrictions, phase-down measures, or availability constraints. This can influence whether servicing or repairing an older refrigeration circuit is technically, commercially, and environmentally appropriate.

ATC will consider the refrigerant used by the existing equipment when assessing the most appropriate route forward.

Where continued repair is no longer practical or appropriate, we can discuss replacement with a current lower-GWP cooling solution.

Depending on its condition and specification, refurbishment may be an option for some equipment.

The extend of work required will vary considerably between chillers, so the equipment will need to be assessed before ATC can confirm whether refurbishment is technically and commercially appropriate.

In some cases, repairing or refurbishing an existing chiller can extend its service life. In others, replacement may provide a more appropriate long-term solution.

Replacement may be worth considering where:

• Essential replacement components are obsolete or unavailable
• The existing refrigerant creates servicing or availability challenges
• Major repairs are required
• Reliability has become an increasing concern
• The cost of maintaining the existing equipment is becoming disproportionate
• A current chiller would better meet the requirements of the application

ATC can review the existing installation and help to determine whether repair, refurbishment, or replacement is the most appropriate approach.

Where replacement is recommended, we will consider the requirements of the process rather than simply assuming that the closest current model is a like-for-like replacement.

When contacting ATC about an older chiller, please provide:

• Chiller model
• Serial number
• A photograph of the rating plate
• Descriptions of the fault or reason for servicing
• Any alarms or error messages
• Photographs of the equipment where useful
• Details of the application or process being cooled
• Any available information about its operating temperature, flow, and process fluid

For very old equipment where the model or serial number cannot be identified, photographs and any available original documentation can help our team to investigate further.

If repair is no longer practical, ATC can help to assess the requirements of the existing application and advise on a suitable replacement.

Our current product range has been developed around modern, lower-GWP refrigerants and a focused selection of standard configurations.

Where the requirements of an older installation cannot be met by a standard current product, our Sales and Engineering teams can also assess whether an appropriate non-standard solution is feasible.

Contact ATC with your chiller model, serial number, and details of the issue, and our team can advise on the support options available.