The Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Purchasing 3 ton water chiller

CHOOSING A CHILLER: 5 FACTORS TO CONSIDER

When it comes to chillers, figuring out where to start is the tricky part. Air-cooled or water-cooled? Used or new? What size do you need? The experts at Cold Shot Chillers cover all of these questions and more in today's article.       

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What Are Industrial Chillers?

An industrial chiller is a refrigeration system that keeps equipment and materials cool, allowing operations to run smoothly. Air Conditioners dehumidify air while water chiller systems cool down fluids that can be used to condition spaces or cool processes, simply by removing heat. However, these units are not 'cooling' or 'chilling' anything; they simply remove heat.

Factors to Consider for Your Chiller Choice

There are a few general rules of thumb to keep in mind when selecting a new cooling system. Keep reading to gain a better understanding of the different chiller types available on the market.

1. Size

Size is one of the biggest factors to consider when buying a chiller. Selecting a correctly sized chiller is paramount. A chiller that is too small won't properly cool your equipment or materials. On the other hand, a chiller that is too large will work just fine, but providing excess capacity will over time fail prematurely due to short cycling. In addition, you've spent more money than you needed to. So how do you know what size chiller you need?

Industrial chillers come in a variety of sizes, ranging from ¼ ton to thousands of tons in capacity. We recommend you use a chiller size calculator to determine what size chiller you need for your application. Below are some examples of chiller sizes based on industry standards.

• Medical Chillers ' 7 ½ ton and 5-ton chillers; or 12 ½ and 15-ton chillers for cooling multiple medical devices simultaneously
• Welding Chillers ' it's advised to have at least 1-ton of chilling capacity for 100KVA of welder capacity
• Winery Chillers ' typically, a 2-ton air cooled chiller is sufficient for most winery applications
• Waterjet Cutting Chillers ' common sizes are 2 and 3 ton
• Hydroponic Chillers ' sizes generally range from 1.5 to 100 tons
• Flower Chiller ' sizes range typically from 2-100 tons

Keep in mind that these sizes are only based on industry standards. Manufacturers like Cold Shot Chillers can design and build custom units of virtually any size. We highly recommend using a chiller sizing tool with exact measurements for the most accurate estimation. You can also reach out to our experienced team for additional help with sizing requirements or general questions.

2. Application

Chillers have various applications for all types of industries. For example, they are used for medical applications such as radiotherapy, PET scans, laboratory operations, and even blood bank refrigeration. In addition, MRI chillers and CT chillers are used frequently in the healthcare sector.

Food processing chillers serve a variety of applications in the food and beverage industry. Depending on your specific setting, you can choose from bakery chillers, winery glycol chillers, brewery glycol chillers, dairy milk chillers, and even commercial yogurt machine chillers.

Metal finishing chillers can be beneficial for paint and powder coating, anodizing, die casting cooling, furnace cooling, quench cooling, and more.

Explosion-proof chillers are commonly used in chemical processing plants, coal plants, oil and gas refineries, and other work environments that interact with flammable gases and vapors.

Cold Shot Chillers offers additional industry-specific chiller types, including laser chillers, plastic processing chillers, government and municipal chillers, welding chillers, and more. 

3. Type

Industrial chillers can be categorized in a few different ways. Let's take a look at five types of chiller classifications.

• Air Cooled Chillers ' Air-cooled systems are generally cheaper than water-cooled chillers. However, they tend to release significant amounts of heat, so these chillers are best-suited for facilities where heat is not an issue.
• Water Cooled Chillers ' Water chillers are typically quieter and more efficient than air-cooled chillers. Therefore, they are suitable for commercial-scale and small-scale facilities.
• Portable Chillers ' In this case, the term 'portable' does not refer to the mobility of the chiller. Instead, it means that a chiller contains all the system's basic components in a single footprint.
• Stationary Chillers ' Chillers that are 'stationary' do not include a tank or pump. Instead, they are stand-alone units that must be connected to a reservoir and pump to function.
• Central Chillers ' These chillers are used to cool several processes. They can have a portable or stationary configuration, and they can be air-cooled or water-cooled.

4. Pricing

Industrial chillers can range in price anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. As mentioned before, water chillers are typically more expensive than air-cooled chillers. In addition, different chiller manufacturers all design and price their systems uniquely, so make sure to carefully compare prices and weigh your options before making a purchase.

5. Manufacturer

Always familiarize yourself with the manufacturer and their policies ahead of time. Ask the following questions and more before choosing a chiller:

• Do they offer a chiller warranty?
• What's the turnaround time?
• How are new chillers tested?
• Do they offer chiller accessories and tools?
• How is the chiller prepped for shipment? 
• Has the company been around for a while? The longer a company has been in business chances are good the company is reputable and trustworthy.
• Does the chiller design use any proprietary components? That replacement part might carry a high price tag since these types of parts are generally used to control the chiller. Over time these items become obsolete and no longer supported.
• How easy is it to reach a live person? Can you get technical and commercial issues resolved over the quickly?
• Has the chiller manufacturer built a chiller handling the same type of application or something similar?
• Does the chiller company make it easy to do business with? Can you discuss your application with a knowledgeable technical representative? Can you get a quote issued for your project quickly? Does the submittal information include everything you need about the chiller you are considering?
• Deal directly with the manufacturer to cut out the middleman. This will alleviate any confusion on how your chiller should be configured and possibly save some time and money.

Looking to buy a new or used chiller? Look no further! Cold Shot Chillers is a Houston-based industrial chiller manufacturer with decades of industry experience.

Finding the Right Chiller for Your Company

We hope that you've learned some valuable information here that will help you make the best purchase. We're confident that we can find a solution for you, no matter what you're looking for!

A chiller is a refrigeration system that cools equipment to maintain proper temperatures. It prevents heat damage and ensures systems operate smoothly and efficiently.

An industrial or commercial chiller system uses refrigerant to absorb heat. Water-cooled chillers use water towers to cool equipment, while air-cooled chillers rely on ambient airflow.

Types of Chillers

The main chiller types include air and water chillers. They are distinguished by their different vapor systems:

• Vapor compression: Low-pressure refrigerant vapor is drawn into a compressor and compressed into a high-temperature and high-pressure gas. The gas then travels to the condenser, where it releases heat to a cooling medium.
• Vapor absorption: The refrigerant vapor is absorbed by a solution like lithium bromide, and this process releases heat. The resulting solution travels to a generator, where a heat source turns the refrigerant back into vapor so it can be condensed into a liquid.

We've summarized air and water chillers below to help you better understand them. While both have the same parts, including a compressor, evaporator, expansion valve and condenser, their methods of extracting excess heat differ. This difference is indicated in their titles since air chillers extract heat using air, while water chillers use water to extract heat from the system.

Air Chillers

Fans blow cool air into air chillers to regulate the condenser and prevent it from overheating. These chillers are installed on a building's exterior, saving internal space.

Water Chillers

In water-cooled chillers, water is pumped through a sealed condenser and sprayed through the cooling tower, extracting heat as the water evaporates. This highly effective method saves more energy and money spent on energy bills.

Some common applications for air and water chillers include:

• Commercial buildings: Support HVAC systems to cool shopping malls, office buildings and other large commercial infrastructure
• Data centers: Maintain IT equipment's and servers' ideal operating temperatures, as their heat sensitivity affects their ability to operate optimally
• Cooling systems: Required for food and beverage storage and transportation to maintain their integrity
• Medical and research facilities: Controls temperatures to ensure equipment and biological samples are stored correctly
• Pharmaceuticals: Ensures optimal temperatures for drug production and storage
• The automotive industry: Cools paint booths to maintain the correct temperatures for spray painting and helps control temperatures for vehicle component testing facilities

Considerations When Buying an Industrial Chiller

Before purchasing an industrial chiller, determine the right type for your specifications and choose the best product. Here are some aspects that may influence your decision.

The company is the world’s best 3 ton water chiller supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Application

Equipment use is one of the first variables to consider when buying a chiller. Various applications require different chillers, and understanding which kind you need is an excellent start to the buying process.

Size

For many unit applications, size and efficiency go hand in hand. An oversized chiller can consume more energy than necessary, cutting your profit margins. Meanwhile, an undersized chiller may struggle to meet your facility's needs. A compact chiller that removes the heat from your equipment allows you to cool it effectively while saving energy and money. To determine the correct chiller size for your facility, you must determine the heat load, temperature, flow rate, and coolant type required for your equipment.

While many industrial chiller manufacturers offer mass-produced cooling products, it's best to partner with one that offers customization. An experienced chiller manufacturer can provide cooling options that meet your industry specifications. When you order a custom-sized chiller, you can rely on it to support your needs.

Location

The ideal chiller relies on your equipment location. Outdoor applications are prone to fluctuating ambient temperatures, while the air surrounding indoor applications may reach excessively high temperatures. Because of these natural temperature differences, indoor or outdoor equipment may require particular sizing or specific accessories such as sump heaters, heat tracing, insulated components, or special controls for components.

Safety

Installing a safe chiller is crucial for your equipment, employees and facility. If you operate in hazardous conditions or process flammable chemicals, an explosion-proof chiller is essential to preventing potential explosions. Only consult with an experienced manufacturer that designs and builds systems to meet National Fire Protection Association standards.

Temperature Control Needs

Choosing a high-quality chiller is vital for work requiring precise temperature control. Reliable, custom-designed chiller systems offer this feature to prevent damage and ensure your equipment operates efficiently.

If your leaving temperature must remain below 35 degrees Fahrenheit, you may require a low-temperature chiller. Choosing the correct chiller ensures your business operations continue smoothly without failure. Reputable manufacturers have the knowledge and technology to design and build quality low-temperature chiller systems, providing you with the necessary temperature control.

Cooling Fluid

Cooling fluid can affect your chiller system, so don't neglect this factor. Common cooling fluids are propylene glycol mix, Dynalene heat transfer, and water and specialized fluids. Your municipal water supply can contain contaminants that corrode chiller components.

While using a glycol-water mix is always best, your cooling system may require additional filtration if you pull from a city water source. Consult with your manufacturer to determine if your operating temperatures can affect fluid viscosity.

Voltage

Some chillers may have voltages requiring specific electrical work. To decide which type of chiller you purchase, determine what voltage your facility can support and how much electrical work your budget allows. You should also consult the chiller manufacturer about which voltage options support more efficient operation.

Cost

Cost is also a critical factor. Before purchasing a chiller, consider its upfront cost, operating costs, potential maintenance costs, and expected life span. Air-cooled systems typically have a higher upfront cost and more installation work than water-cooled systems. They also consume a significant amount of energy to power fans, but they can reduce operating costs because they lack the cooling tower that a water-cooled system requires.

Consider your daily usage. While a central chiller typically costs less than a portable chiller, a portable system may better suit your needs if you need cooling for various purposes at different times.

A chiller's return on investment depends on its life span. While one model may have a higher initial cost, getting a system with longevity is worthwhile. Comparing different models and designs can help you choose the system with the best financial benefits.

How to Size a Chiller

Sizing a chiller depends on several variables. A critical factor in determining the cooling load requirements is all the heat the chiller must remove and where it originates. For example, several heat sources can exist in a building, including the processes that run machinery and equipment and the heat generated from them. People occupying the space also contribute to the total heat load.

Then, consider heat from external sources such as the temperature outside and heat that infiltrates, especially in warmer climates.

The correct formula helps determine the required chiller size. This process is represented in four steps:

1. Calculate the temperature differential: Calculate this variable with the formula of incoming water temperature (for example, 65 degrees Fahrenheit) minus the required chilled water temperature (55 degrees Fahrenheit). The temperature differential is 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Calculate BTU/hr: British Thermal Units per hour indicate how much heat is removed from a space in an hour. For example, 4 gallons per minute x 60 minutes (4 GPM x 60) x 8.33 x 10 degrees Fahrenheit = 19,992 BTU/hr.
3. Calculate the tons of cooling capacity: Divide the BTU/hr by 12,000 to get the required tonnage.
4. Round up after oversizing the chiller by 20%: Determine the chiller size by multiplying the ideal ton size by 1.2 and rounding it up. For example, if the ideal ton size is 1.666 multiplied by 1.2 to get 1., you'll need a 2-ton chiller.

To explain this further, if you need to cool 6 gallons per minute (GPM) from 65 degrees Fahrenheit ' the incoming water temperature ' to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the required chilled water temperature, the flow rate is 6 GPM.

Other factors in chiller sizing include choosing the appropriate chiller type for your application and knowing the required flow rate, inlet and outlet temperatures, and the cooling and buffer capacity.

Why Work With Smart Family of Cooling Products?

Choosing a high-quality chiller is essential ' now you know how many factors influence your purchasing decision. Consulting with a reputable chiller manufacturer can help you navigate your options.

Smart Family of Cooling Products manufactures high-quality chillers and offers professional consultation to guide you through purchasing, installation and beyond. Our unique expertise informs clients about their options and determines which systems best meet their needs. When you work with Smart Family, you can discuss your specifications with a knowledgeable engineer who will help you make an informed decision.

Our experts focus on technical details such as application, sizing, location, cooling fluid, temperature control needs, voltage and safety features, equipping us with the information necessary to design and build effective systems.

As a leader in the cooling industry and one of the top chiller manufacturers in the USA, we have experience manufacturing chillers according to custom specifications. We are also one of the few manufacturers able to build explosion-proof and low-temperature systems according to strict codes and standards.

Find the Right Chiller With Smart Family of Cooling Products

Purchasing the chiller that meets your specifications lets you cool your equipment while saving energy and money. Before committing to a product, consider essential details and consult a reputable manufacturer about your application.

Smart Family of Cooling Products can guide you through purchasing by focusing on your needs. We offer reliable, efficient chiller systems to provide your company's equipment with the necessary cooling you can count on.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of 10 Ton Air Cooled Water Chiller. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.