What is the expected lifespan of a chiller?

Supporting a long and reliable equipment life begins with selecting the right chiller for the application.

A chiller should be specified on the actual requirements of the process, including:

• Heat load
• Required process fluid temperature
• Required flow rate
• Coolant type
• System pressure requirements
• Electrical supply

Correct pump selection is also important. The pump must be appropriate for the required flow and the resistance within the system.

Selecting equipment based simply on the specification of a previous chiller, an estimated pressure requirement, or nominal cooling capacity may not accurately reflect the needs of the application.

Once installed, the chiller should be operated within the conditions for which it was selected.

Ambient temperature is particularly important for air-cooled chillers. As ambient temperature increases, rejecting heat into the surrounding air becomes more difficult and the available cooling capacity can be affected.

The chiller should therefore be installed indoors, with adequate ventilation and sufficient space for airflow. Air inlets and outlets should remain unobstructed, and warm discharge air should not be allowed to recirculate back into the unit.

The hydraulic system is equally important. A continuous coolant flow path should always be maintained, and the chiller should be correctly integrated with the pipework and process.

Preventative maintenance plays an important role in maintaining chiller performance and identifying developing problems before they result in more significant faults or unplanned downtime.

Depending on the equipment and application, maintenance can include inspection and cleaning of components, checking the condition of the refrigeration and electrical systems, examining pumps and motors, and ensuring that airflow and fluid circulation remain unrestricted.

The condition and quality of the process fluid should also be monitored and maintained in accordance with the recommendations for the chiller and application.

A planned preventative maintenance programme provides an opportunity to identify wear, deterioration, or changing operating conditions before they begin to affect reliability.

The chiller is only one part of the overall cooling system.

Customer pipework, fittings, valves, process equipment, and other components determine the resistance within the system and can influence the flow delivered by the chiller’s pump.

Problems such as incorrect system resistance, air ingress, blocked flow paths, or incorrect specification can affect performance and potentially contribute to premature component wear.

Correct system design and integration are therefore important throughout the life of the equipment.

Age alone does not necessarily determine when a chiller should be replaced.

It may be appropriate to review an existing installation if:

• Cooling performance has noticeably declined
• The chiller no longer meets the requirements of the process
• Breakdowns or repairs are becoming more frequent
• Replacement components are becoming difficult to source
• The application or product platform is no longer appropriate for the application

ATC can help assess your current cooling requirements and identify a suitable replacement from our current standard product range.

For older ATC or legacy equipment, please provide the existing model and specification where possible. We will also ask about the current process requirements rather than simply matching the previous chiller, ensuring that any replacement is correctly specified for the application today.

The best way to support a long and reliable chiller life is to consider the equipment throughout its lifecycle:

Specify it correctly

Operate it within its intended conditions. 

Maintain it appropriately. 

ATC can support customers with initial chiller selection, technical support, preventative maintenance, servicing, and replacement equipment throughout the life of their system.