Air Cooled vs Water Cooled Chillers

Water-cooled chillers have for years been the most energy efficient and cost effective means of addressing large cooling loads as is recognized by ASHRAE 90.1. However, as the price of water has increased and the performance of air-cooled chillers have improved those lines have begun to blur. It is no longer clear that the lowest total cost ownership for cooling applications over 300 tons resides with water cooled chillers. This session explores all the factors related to comparing chiller plants including: performance curves, climate, altitude, water quality, first cost and operating cost (water, energy, maintenance, and treatment).