{"id":"chiller-air-cooled","version":"0.5.0","classification":{"uniformat":"D3030"},"names":["Chiller, air-cooled"],"aliases":["air cooled chiller"],"service_life":{"median_years":20,"range_years":[20,23],"range_basis":"source_spread"},"pm_tasks":[{"task":"Shut down or re-sequence chillers that are not needed","frequency":"P1D","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":181,"checklist":"9.4.10 Chillers Checklist"},{"task":"Do an overall visual inspection: all equipment operating and safety systems in place","frequency":"P1D","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":181,"checklist":"9.4.10 Chillers Checklist"},{"task":"Check all setpoints are set and working properly","frequency":"P1D","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":181,"checklist":"9.4.10 Chillers Checklist"},{"task":"Assess evaporator and condenser fouling","frequency":"P1W","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":181,"checklist":"9.4.10 Chillers Checklist"},{"task":"Check compressor motor temperature against manufacturer spec","frequency":"P1W","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":181,"checklist":"9.4.10 Chillers Checklist"},{"task":"Leak test compressor fittings, oil pump joints and relief valves","frequency":"P1W","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":182,"checklist":"Chiller Checklist (contd)"},{"task":"Check insulation condition","frequency":"P1W","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":182,"checklist":"Chiller Checklist (contd)"},{"task":"Verify control functions including hot gas bypass and liquid injection","frequency":"P1W","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":182,"checklist":"Chiller Checklist (contd)"},{"task":"Check vane control settings per manufacturer","frequency":"P6M","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":182,"checklist":"Chiller Checklist (contd)"},{"task":"Verify motor load limit control settings","frequency":"P6M","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":182,"checklist":"Chiller Checklist (contd)"},{"task":"Verify load balance operation settings","frequency":"P6M","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":182,"checklist":"Chiller Checklist (contd)"},{"task":"Check chilled water reset settings and function","frequency":"P6M","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":182,"checklist":"Chiller Checklist (contd)"},{"task":"Check chiller lockout setpoint","frequency":"P1Y","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":182,"checklist":"Chiller Checklist (contd)"},{"task":"Clean evaporator tubes during shutdown","frequency":"P1Y","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":182,"checklist":"Chiller Checklist (contd)"},{"task":"Eddy current test evaporator tubes, as required","frequency":"P1Y","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":182,"checklist":"Chiller Checklist (contd)"},{"task":"Check compressor motor and assembly alignment and seals; lubricate as needed","frequency":"P1Y","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":182,"checklist":"Chiller Checklist (contd)"},{"task":"Analyse compressor oil and filter, change as needed; check oil pump, seals, heater, strainers","frequency":"P1Y","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":182,"checklist":"Chiller Checklist (contd)"},{"task":"Check electrical connections and terminals for contact and tightness","frequency":"P1Y","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":182,"checklist":"Chiller Checklist (contd)"},{"task":"Check refrigerant level and condition; add as needed, record amounts, address leaks","frequency":"P1Y","reference":"Operations & Maintenance Best Practices: A Guide to Achieving Operational Efficiency, Release 3.0","url":"https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2020/04/f74/omguide_complete_w-eo-disclaimer.pdf","page":182,"checklist":"Chiller Checklist (contd)"}],"basis":[{"type":"public_document","life_type":"planning","title":"CNA e-Tool Estimated Useful Life Table","by":"U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development","url":"https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/eul_for_cna_e_tool.pdf","page":11,"code":"HUD CNA 3.4.2.1.17","label":"Chilling plant","years":20,"note":"Same life for family and elderly properties. US multifamily housing. HUD's row is a chilling plant, without the condenser type."},{"type":"public_document","life_type":"planning","title":"Updated Buildings Sector Appliance and Equipment Costs and Efficiencies (March 2023), Appendix A: EIA - Technology Forecast Updates - Residential and Commercial Building Technologies - Reference Case (Guidehouse and Leidos, March 3, 2023)","by":"U.S. Energy Information Administration; Appendix A prepared by Guidehouse and Leidos","url":"https://www.eia.gov/analysis/studies/buildings/equipcosts/pdf/full.pdf","page":135,"code":"Commercial Scroll Chillers (Air-Cooled Only)","label":"Average Life (y) 20 (all years, typical and high efficiency)","years":20,"note":"Printed page 131 (Appendix A). Air-cooled scroll chiller, typical capacity 50 tons. Data-source sheet (PDF p.236, A-56) gives the life source as 'Manufacturers' (Guidehouse for 2030-2050 projections). Scroll only; screw and reciprocating air-cooled chiller lives in the same report are ASHRAE/FacilitiesNet-sourced and were not used."},{"type":"public_document","life_type":"planning","title":"Purchasing Energy-Efficient Electric Chillers (web page, modified 2025-11-12)","by":"U.S. Department of Energy, Federal Energy Management Program","url":"https://www.energy.gov/cmei/femp/purchasing-energy-efficient-electric-chillers","code":"Tables 4 and 5 assumptions","label":"Assumed chillers operate for 2,000 hours per year and have a lifetime of 23 years.","years":23,"note":"One assumption for both the 175-ton air-cooled (Table 4) and 300-ton water-cooled centrifugal (Table 5) examples. Source of the value not stated by FEMP."}],"confidence":{"grade":"B","sample_size":null},"open_questions":["Every source here is a published planning, design or accounting life. None is observed replacement data."],"contributors":["unfinished.one editors"],"last_reviewed":"2026-10-23","canonical_url":"https://unfinished.one/c/chiller-air-cooled","versioned_url":"https://unfinished.one/c/chiller-air-cooled/v/0.5.0","licence":"CC-BY-4.0","citation":"unfinished.one (2026). Chiller, air-cooled, v0.5.0. https://unfinished.one/c/chiller-air-cooled/v/0.5.0"}