CHILLER CONCEPTS

A Clean Number Is Not Always Believable: How to Know If Chiller Data Can Be Trusted
A precise chiller reading is not always trustworthy. Learn how to judge source quality, operating context, and corroborating evidence before acting on it. Read more...
Carnot Equation for Chillers: Why kW/ton Can Mislead You
Sadi Carnot’s 200-year-old equation gives chiller mechanics a better way to judge performance. By accounting for lift and comparing a machine to its own history and identical peers, it helps separate harder operating conditions from a real performance change. Read more...
Condenser Approach: What It Means and What to Check
High condenser approach usually means heat is not moving through the condenser as easily as it should. Dirty tubes are common, but low water flow, bad readings, air, and internal condenser problems can cause the same symptom. Read more...
The Chiller Wasn’t Making Setpoint. The Load Was 115% of Design.
A Saturday night no-cooling call looked like a chiller problem. Calculated evaporator load was 1,437 tons—about 115% of the chiller’s 1,250-ton design—changing the troubleshooting direction.   Read more...
One Extra Reading Exposed a BAS Error Hurting Plant Efficiency
A believable BAS value was about 3.5°F off from independent field measurements. That one discrepancy exposed a tower-control issue affecting condenser water temperature, chiller lift, and plant efficiency. Read more...
A Chiller Log Records a Visit. Operational History Makes It Useful.
A chiller log records one visit. Connected operational history preserves what changed, what was done, and what the next mechanic needs to know. Read more...
Evaporator Approach: A Measure of Inefficiency — and Why People Blame It Too Fast
Evaporator approach is a measure of inefficiency, but people blame dirty tubes too fast. This guide explains what the number means, what can move it, and how good techs use it without fooling themselves. Read more...
What Is a Good kW per Ton for a Chiller?
kW per ton is one of the fastest ways to evaluate chiller performance, but it is easy to misuse. This guide explains what the number means, what can distort it, and how to compare it the right way. Read more...
How to Estimate Chiller GPM Using Pressure Drop
Estimate chiller GPM from pressure drop using design flow, design pressure drop, and field readings. Learn where this method helps, what can distort the estimate, and why trustworthy flow matters when calculating tons and kW/ton. Read more...