Chiller Systems
Reciprocating Compressors - Operating Costs
General
For example, an air-cooled chiller serving a hospital operating room suite that operates year-round could well have a lower annual electric cost than a comparable water-cooled unit, due to the large number of operating hours the unit will be operating at part-load and low-ambient temperature conditions. Only a careful energy use analysis of each application performed by a qualified professional can identify the most economical equipment choice.
Maintenance costs must also be factored in. Here are some typical mid-1995 $ per ton annual values.
| Chiller Type | 20 Tons | 50 Tons | 75 Tons | 100 Tons | 150 Tons | 200 Tons |
| Water Cooled | $79 | $67 | $58 | $51 | $40 | $35 |
| Air Cooled | $70 | $50 | $45 | $43 | $35 | $31 |
If the chiller is driven by a natural gas engine, the added maintenance costs of the engine must also be included. Typically this amounts to about $0.012 per ton per operating hour.
