Chilled water-based cooling systems are frequently used to air condition large office buildings or campuses that encompass multiple buildings. They represent a large investment from the perspective of first cost, physical space they require within the building, as well as energy and maintenance cost. Good design and efficient components can produce a chiller plant that is 30–50 percent more efficient on an annual basis .
1.An efficient design concept
Selecting an appropriate design concept that is responsive to the anticipated operating conditions is essential to achieving efficiency. Examples include using a variable-flow pumping system for large campus applications, and selecting the quantity, type, and configuration of chillers based upon the expected load profile.
2.Efficient components
Chillers, pumps, fans, and motors should all be selected for stand-alone as well as systemic efficiency. Examples include premium efficiency motors, pumps that have high efficiency at the anticipated operating conditions, chillers that are efficient at both full and partial loads, and induced-draft cooling towers.
3.Proper installation, commissioning, and operation
A chiller plant that meets the first two criteria can still waste a lot of energy—and provide poor comfort to building occupants if it is not installed or operated properly. For this reason, following a formal commissioning process that functionally tests the plant under all modes of operation can provide some assurance that the potential efficiency of the system will be realized.
How to Minimize the Cost of an Efficient Chiller Plant
A valid concern when designing a highly efficient chiller plant is that it be cost-effective and not prohibitively more expensive on a first-cost basis than standard practice.
1.Integrated Energy Design
One of the most effective ways to minimize the possible extra cost of an efficient plant is to apply the concept of integrated energy design . The least expensive ton of air conditioning is the one you don’t have to purchase, and following an integrated design approach is one way to ensure that HVAC systems are “right-sized” instead of “super-sized.”
2.Use proper Materials
Specifying high-efficiency lighting, good glass, and appropriate insulation materials reduces the cooling load for the building, which can translate into a smaller-capacity, less expensive chiller plant that still provides excellent comfort. It is often the case that a properly sized, highly efficient chiller plant has a lower initial cost than an oversized plant designed to minimum Title 24 requirements.
3.Use Actual Design Information
To achieve cost savings, when performing cooling load calculations the mechanical engineer must use the actual design information for these more efficient building systems. The mechanical engineer should not use the conservative estimates that are often initially used but not always updated. Because large HVAC systems can cost $2,000 or more per ton (air and waterside), there is ample motivation to properly size the HVAC system.
4.Reduce Equipment Sizes
Smaller equipment sizes, resulted in savings of both construction cost and space. This reduction in equipment size became critical later in the design process when architects and engineers faced the challenge of fitting ductwork into some especially constrained spaces. The mechanical engineer on the project updated the load calculations to reflect the reduced loads, and as a result they were able to “right-size” the systems with confidence.
Maintaining Chiller Plant
It’s a good idea to hire an HVAC company to inspect and do maintenance on your system every fall and spring. They’ll do things like inspect and clean the wiring and mechanisms of the unit, which is bit more challenging for the average chiller plant owner.HVAC services in Dubai meet the chiller plant maintenance requirements with good responsibility and care. As we now know the characteristics of a good chiller plant,HVAC services in UAE will teach as the excellent characteristics of premium chiller plant caring and servicing.
