An old joke says that HVAC contractors are so efficient on the job because they have all their ducts in a row.
OK, it may not be a good knee slapper, but that corny joke is full of kernels of truth.
If you own or manage a commercial facility or complex, you need the right HVAC system for your custom needs. And many commercial facilities install chilled water systems for their cooling needs.
Chilled water systems operate in quiet, have long-lasting parts, and are energy efficient.
And it is advisable to buy an HVAC system that can reduce costs in an era where climate change is making heatwaves progressively unbearable.
In the summer of 2021, the average temperature increased by almost 10 degrees. And many American cities experienced consecutive days of 100-degree temperatures.
And the average cost of a commercial HVAC system can start at $12,500.
Hiring the right HVAC contractor can mean the difference between reducing costs or adding to them after buying a chilled water system. Here are three ways to reduce costs after buying one.
Firstly – what is a chilled water system?
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What is a Chilled Water System?
Chilled water systems are centralized HVAC cooling systems that generate efficient cooling for one building or even a building complex.
Chilled water systems are financially efficient and operationally practical because they centralize a building complex’s entire HVAC air conditioning system and equipment in a centralized location. The alternative is to hire professionals to install multiple pieces of HVAC equipment in multiple locations.
So, the interior climate of a building can be set in the 70s while it is 100 degrees outside.
It is easiest to think about a chilled water system as an ambient heat transference system at its most basic. And this heat transference system is predicated on the refrigeration cycle of the chilled water system.
Chilled water systems remove ambient heat from the interior of the building via a system of pipes and pumps all over the building or complex. Chilled water pumps push the 45 degrees chilled water through chilled water lines.
Then that water is removed from the water and transferred to the water of a condenser system or into the outside air.
Power Efficiency
The film coefficient of chilled water systems, which is a technical term referencing the heat transference process of the system, is ten to 100 times more efficient than air-cooled chillers.
Commercial buildings stand to save more on energy bills with chilled water systems than air-cooled chillers.
Long-Lasting Lifespan
Air-cooled chillers must be installed outside in the elements for optimum operation. Air-cooled chillers require a constant intake of fresh air to operate properly.
And being exposed to the elements 365 days a year means that air-cooled chillers require constant maintenance, repairs, and part replacements.
Chilled water systems require regular maintenance but do not require as much repair or replacement as air-cooled chillers since they are installed in the interiors of buildings. Chilled water systems are never constantly exposed to the weather elements.
So, their components tend to last longer than air-cooled chillers, a financial benefit.
Quiet Operation
Air-cooled chillers feature components like vents and ducts, which are very noisy when in operation.
Chilled water systems are much quieter when in operation. Since chilled water systems are widely used in hospitals, schools, and other commercial settings, having a quiet workspace is beneficial to the financial bottom line.
To find out how you can reduce costs with a chilled water system, contact Standard Plumbing and Heating today.
Related: Seasonal Maintenance You Should Consider for Your Commercial HVAC Unit