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What Is an Air-Cooled Chiller?

An air-cooled chiller is a block-like piece of equipment that keeps areas and equipment cool. It does this by producing chilled water that circulates around a building and absorbs unwanted heat. The result is a more regulated temperature that allows people and equipment to work easily.

The main advantage air-cooled chillers have over water-cooled chillers is that air-cooled chillers do not have a cooling tower and release heat into the ambient air. They can be conveniently installed on building rooftops or ground level to accommodate this function. Some common types of air-cooled chillers include:

  • Packaged air-cool chillers: These air-cool chillers are the complete package — pumps, a tank, and microprocessor controls. You can customize them to suit your temperature requirements.
  • Industrial process chillers: If you’re looking for a cost-effective option, industrial process chillers are your solution. These models allow you to specify which components you need so you only pay for necessary items.
  • Medical chillers: As medical imaging equipment requires specific temperature control, you must tailor chiller temperatures to your needs. Medical chillers come in various models to suit specific equipment.
  • Brewery chillers: From wineries and breweries to food processing facilities, the beverage and food industry requires precise temperature control to meet health standards. These chillers come in various sizes to accommodate the different manufacturing processes.

Benefits of Air Cooled Chillers

Air-cooled chillers offer many benefits, making them a preferred choice across various industries.

1. Energy Efficiency

Air-cooled chillers are energy-efficient, as they use ambient air to dissipate heat from the refrigerant. Water-cooled chillers need extra energy for water circulation and cooling towers. However, air-cooled chillers eliminate the need for water consumption and associated pumping costs, resulting in lower operating expenses.

2. Simplified Installation and Maintenance

Air-cooled chillers are more straightforward in design. They do not need a water supply or cooling tower infrastructure, making installing them more accessible and less costly. Additionally, maintenance requirements are minimal compared to water-cooled systems. As such, they can help reduce downtime and operational disruptions.

3. Space-Saving Design

Air-cooled chillers are compact and self-contained units. They can be installed outdoors or on rooftops, saving valuable indoor space. This design makes them ideal for commercial buildings like office towers and shopping malls where space is king.

4. Flexibility and Scalability

These systems’ flexibility and scalability allow for easy cooling capacity expansion or modification, which is especially beneficial, as they can accommodate varying demands. This is perfect for industries with fluctuating cooling requirements, such as manufacturing plants and data centers.

5. Environmental Friendliness 

Air-cooled chillers use air as a natural cooling medium, reducing water consumption and environmental impact compared to water-cooled systems. Additionally, advancements in refrigerant technology have led to the development of environmentally friendly refrigerants with lower global warming potential. This further enhances the eco-friendliness of air-cooled chillers.

Optimize Your Operations With Air-Cooled Chillers From General Air Products

When running a business, you must ensure your equipment offers optimal performance and longevity for the best possible returns. Air-cooled chillers are one of the most effective ways to accomplish these goals.

General Air Products offers a wide selection of industrial air-cooled chillers, enabling you to find the model that enhances your operations. We can also customize your chiller to meet specific machinery requirements! Explore our models online or contact our team for a personalized quote!