Water-cooled chillers are generally the best choice if your priority is energy efficiency and long-term cost savings even though water-cooled systems require a higher initial investment and extra components like cooling towers and water treatment systems. However, there are more other choice that depends upon the specific needs like efficient goals, water availability, and budget. Let’s learn which one of these is best according to your desire options and needs.
Air Cooled Chillers
Air Cooled chillers reject heat directly into the surrounding air. You’ll typically see them with condenser coils that have fans blowing air across them to dissipate the heat.
Key Features: Use fans to dissipate heat to ambient air, eliminating cooling towers.
Efficiency: Lower (COP 2.5–3.5) due to reliance on ambient air temperature.
Costs: Lower upfront (150–150–300 per ton) and simpler installation.
Space: Compact but requires unobstructed airflow.
Maintenance: Minimal (cleaning coils, fan checks).
Energy Use: Consumes 20–30% more electricity than water-cooled systems.
Water-Cooled Chillers
Water Cooled chillers transfer heat to a separate water loop, which then carries the heat to a cooling tower or other heat rejection device (like a condenser water pump and piping system).
Key Features: Use water (via cooling towers) for heat rejection.
Efficiency: Higher (COP 4.0–6.0) due to water’s superior heat transfer.
Costs: Higher upfront (250–250–500 per ton) and infrastructure (pipes, towers).
Water Use: Requires 2–3 gallons per ton/hour, plus treatment.
Maintenance: Complex (water treatment, tower upkeep).
Energy Use: Lower operational costs in the long term.
Why Choose One Over the Other?
Pick air-cooled if you prioritize lower upfront costs, have space constraints, or lack water access. Ideal for small/medium buildings or dry climates.
Pick water-cooled if you prioritize energy savings, have consistent water supply, and higher upfront budgets. Ideal for large facilities (hospitals, factories).
Environmental Impact: Water-cooled systems reduce energy use but consume water critical in arid regions. Air-cooled systems avoid water use but increase carbon footprint.
What is the Cost Difference Between Air Cooled Chiller Vs Water Cooled Chiller?
Water-cooled chillers are best if you value long-term energy savings and lower operating costs, even though their initial investment is higher. In contrast, air-cooled chillers have a lower first cost but incur higher annual energy expenses.
Cost Aspect of Air Cooled Chiller
Installed Cost (per ton): ~$1,300/ton (~364,000 PKR/ton)
Installed Cost (200-ton system): ~$260K (~72.8 million PKR)
Annual Operating Cost: ~$122,400/year (~34.3 million PKR/year)
Cost Aspect of Water Cooled Chiller
Installed Cost (per ton): ~$1,700/ton (~476,000 PKR/ton)
Installed Cost (200-ton system): ~$340K–$400K (~95.2–112 million PKR)
Annual Operating Cost: ~$69,360/year (~19.4 million PKR/year)
Which Compressor is Better Air-cooled or Water-cooled?
Water-cooled chiller generally performs better due to the improved cooling conditions, even though the compressor type (centrifugal, screw, etc.) may be similar in both systems.