By controlling these four variables — and continuously measuring total kW/ton — AI can optimize a chiller plant to the limit permitted by mechanical condition.
That limit is real And it matters.
We move to the variable that dominates centrifugal chiller electrical efficiency:
Compressor lift.
If there is one concept every operator should understand about chiller performance, it is this:
Lift drives compressor kW/ton.
But as we will see, reducing lift is powerful — and dangerous if misunderstood.
This article focuses on the evaporator and condensers, specifically the flooded shell-and-tubes used in most large centrifugal chillers, and answers a fundamental question:
What actually makes an evaporator “efficient”?
Cooling Tower “Efficiency” vs. Actual Energy Efficiency (Greatest Misconception)
Cooling towers are often described as being “efficient” when the water leaving the tower is very close to the outdoor wet-bulb temperature. This common misconception results from the thermodynamic efficiency formula…
In this part, we will explore the factors that drive the cooling effect in a cooling tower. In Part 2, we will discuss the difference between cooling tower thermodynamical efficiency and electrical efficiency (kW/ton).
The main purpose of a cooling tower is to cool the warm condenser water coming from the chiller so that it returns colder to the condenser.
In this part, we will explore the factors that drive the cooling effect in a cooling tower. In Part 2, we will discuss the difference between cooling tower thermodynamical efficiency and electrical efficiency (kW/ton).
Most chilled water plants use variable speed pumps with a constant differential pressure (DP) setpoint. Many use an improved DP Reset approach. On paper, this sounds efficient. In practice, pump efficiency depends entirely on where the operating point lands on the pump curve—and that point moves more than most people realize.
Most chiller plants are managed as if “efficiency” were a single setting: a chilled-water setpoint, a condenser-water setpoint, or a pump DP setpoint.
That mindset is the root problem.
A chiller plant is not one machine. It is a system of machines, and every major component in that system has an efficiency curve—meaning its efficiency changes depending on where it operates.
Squeeze More Performance Out of Equipment You Already Have Using AI-agents Last week we introduced the Automated Buildings partnership with facil.aiWhat can facil.ai do for
What is facil.ai? Facil.ai is a collection of AI-agents trained for building performance optimization (specifically central plant chillers, portfolio rooftop units, refrigeration systems, and air-handler
By controlling these four variables — and continuously measuring total kW/ton — AI can optimize a chiller plant to the limit permitted by mechanical condition.
That limit is real And it matters.
We move to the variable that dominates centrifugal chiller electrical efficiency:
Compressor lift.
If there is one concept every operator should understand about chiller performance, it is this:
Lift drives compressor kW/ton.
But as we will see, reducing lift is powerful — and dangerous if misunderstood.
This article focuses on the evaporator and condensers, specifically the flooded shell-and-tubes used in most large centrifugal chillers, and answers a fundamental question:
What actually makes an evaporator “efficient”?
Cooling Tower “Efficiency” vs. Actual Energy Efficiency (Greatest Misconception)
Cooling towers are often described as being “efficient” when the water leaving the tower is very close to the outdoor wet-bulb temperature. This common misconception results from the thermodynamic efficiency formula…
In this part, we will explore the factors that drive the cooling effect in a cooling tower. In Part 2, we will discuss the difference between cooling tower thermodynamical efficiency and electrical efficiency (kW/ton).
The main purpose of a cooling tower is to cool the warm condenser water coming from the chiller so that it returns colder to the condenser.
In this part, we will explore the factors that drive the cooling effect in a cooling tower. In Part 2, we will discuss the difference between cooling tower thermodynamical efficiency and electrical efficiency (kW/ton).
Most chilled water plants use variable speed pumps with a constant differential pressure (DP) setpoint. Many use an improved DP Reset approach. On paper, this sounds efficient. In practice, pump efficiency depends entirely on where the operating point lands on the pump curve—and that point moves more than most people realize.
Most chiller plants are managed as if “efficiency” were a single setting: a chilled-water setpoint, a condenser-water setpoint, or a pump DP setpoint.
That mindset is the root problem.
A chiller plant is not one machine. It is a system of machines, and every major component in that system has an efficiency curve—meaning its efficiency changes depending on where it operates.
Squeeze More Performance Out of Equipment You Already Have Using AI-agents Last week we introduced the Automated Buildings partnership with facil.aiWhat can facil.ai do for
What is facil.ai? Facil.ai is a collection of AI-agents trained for building performance optimization (specifically central plant chillers, portfolio rooftop units, refrigeration systems, and air-handler
