What is a Chiller in an HVAC system?

A chiller is a device used to remove heat from a liquid in order to cool and dehumidify the air in a building. Chillers are an important part of HVAC systems and play a critical role in maintaining comfortable temperatures and humidity levels in buildings.

There are two types of chillers; air-cooled or water-cooled.

The most common type of chiller is the water-cooled variety, which uses recirculating water to cool a heat sink such as an outdoor cooling tower. Air-cooled chillers use fan-driven air to cool the condenser coils.

A water-cooled chiller consists of two main parts; the compressor and the condenser. The compressor pumps refrigerant gas to high pressure and sends it through the condenser, where it is cooled by water running over the coils. This cooled gas then flows through pipes to the evaporator, where it absorbs heat from the liquid being cooled. The refrigerant then returns to the compressor and the cycle repeats.

The advantage of a water-cooled chiller is that it can be placed indoors, which eliminates the need for an outdoor space to house the chiller.

Air-cooled chillers use fan-driven air to cool condenser coils and are usually located outside the building.

An air-cooled chiller consists of four main parts; the compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve, and the evaporator. The compressor pumps refrigerant gas to high pressure and sends it through the condenser, where it is cooled by fan-driven air. This cooled gas then flows through pipes to the evaporator, where it absorbs heat from the liquid being cooled. The refrigerant then returns to the compressor and the cycle repeats.

One disadvantage of an air-cooled chiller is that it can only be used in climates where the ambient temperature is below 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Air-cooled chillers are more common than water-cooled chillers, but they require more maintenance and have shorter lifespans.

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