Chiller Retrofit and Replacement Issues

The phaseout of CFCs presents an excellent excuse to replace many inefficient and unreliable cooling systems. Retrofits or conversions offer an opportunity to decrease operating and maintenance costs while improving the chiller plant's performance.

Regardless of all other considerations, users are strongly advised to practice improved preventive maintenance, leak detection and containment. CFCs are not harmful until they're released - so keep containment firmly in focus.

In general, a newer chiller (one that's less than 10 years old) should be considered for retrofit. Alternatively, it's often more cost effective to replace chillers over 20-years old. Chillers between 10 and 20 years old must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.