When is it time for chiller repair?

Operating used chillers call for more attention that new ones, naturally. A refrigerator at home is an example. Like any other thing, they also age and the wear and tear may be visible depending on how it is handled. Chiller maintenance also plays a great role in the efficiency of used chillers and its ability to maximize its optimum potential. When all else fails, chiller replacement for process chillers is the last step to be considered. But we all know that chillers aren’t small, inexpensive things. Chillers cost a lot of money thus replacement shouldn’t be done in haste. There are times when the only thing needed to get your process chillers running again is repair.

When can you tell if your used chiller calls for a repair?

- An excess vibration is a sign that there is an extreme wear on the bearings of the chiller. If this is the case, a technician who specializes on chillers should be asked to remove and check the bearings.

- An increase in Refrigerant approach temperature is one of the first signs that a chiller is not operating well. In these cases, a repair is likely needed. A technician should be contacted to check and investigate the problem that may have caused this.

- An obvious refrigerant leak is a sign that the chiller is in need of a repair. Even if the leak isn’t obvious but the refrigerant level is low, it’s still a cause for alarm. Chiller maintenance should be called for to avoid a loss in refrigerant and to avoid inefficiencies.

Should you replace your industrial chillers?

Chillers are big ticket items which mean they cost more than other equipments. Industrial chillers are examples of this. The purchase of an industrial chiller is a big cost to the company’s finances thus taking good care of it should be done properly and regularly. Minor defects could bring down the entire system’s maximum efficiency and when that happens, you’re paying more for a lesser performance. Because industrial chillers are expensive, replacing them should be done with utmost care and thorough decision making.

Here are some tips and tricks on how to evaluate your used chillers to see if they need any replacement:

• The age of the used chiller should be taken into consideration. For air cooled chillers, typical life span is about 12 years while it can be more than 20 years for water cooled chillers. If they chiller’s age is near or beyond these numbers, a replacement is better than repair.
• The major repairs done on the chillers should be given much weight. It may be cost effective to buy a new one rather than paying for repair over and over.
• The noise level should be checked. If you need chillers that aren’t noisy, the new chillers have lower decibel ratings compared to that of before.
• The efficiency rating of the chiller should also be checked. New chillers nowadays have improved efficiency ratings.
• The size of the chiller is also important especially for limited places. There are new chillers released that are small, compact and just as powerful and efficient than big chillers.

Before buying a new replacement, ponder over the things mentioned above. They might come in handy so you can end up in a decision you won’t regret.