Compare Brands of Chiller Systems

[TRACY4100]

Does anyone know a good website that would compare different brands of chiller systems unbiasedly. I have an opinion on some different brands that I would like verified by a reputable name, i.e. ASHRAE OR The EPA etc. to show a customer.

[flange]

unbiased opinions are tough, especially when you dont know the application. for example, a process chiller might be made by someone like FES, commmercial refrigeration, Cimco, Technical Systems, carrier, etc. what exactly are you doing and whats the budget? I personally dont know of such a site, but it could exist. I like to look at the application, the part/full load possibilities, type of compressors desired and then manufacturer who best fits the profile. as an example, there is a certain manufacturer who likes to sell screws to the school market due to price competetiveness, but in my view a screw is a bad choice for a school most times.

[TRACY4100]

Well, this is a creature comfort chiller replacement for an old water cooled chiller. It's a Carrier that's in there now but it's over 35 years old, and the brand they have a quote for is a Dunham Busch chiller, which I would not recommend. I am trying to find an unbiased source that would rate chillers. In my opinion, they should use Trane or Carrier, but I was trying to find a write up that compared brands.

[triggerhappy]

Contact your local Trane office and I am sure that the New Systems Sales Eng. would be more than happy to help you with that.

[TRACY4100]

Thank you Trigger, but I would rather it not be from a manufacturer, because it's expected that they'll say their product is the best. Thank you, though.

[flange]

well, i still dont know of an unbiased site, but there is tons of good reading available. so, for comfort cooling, now we talk about load size and profile. is it a low tonnage machine say under five hundred or a fairly large machine? is noise a factor? is energy efficiency a factor? how qualified are service people in the building and locally? what is the owners train of thought? new, high efficient machine maybe with some flaws that need to be worked out, or old tried and true? low pressure or high pressure? what type of tower and controls are existing and will they remain? if you live in an area that is like many with four seasons, you may need say one third of your total capacity in spring and fall, and only full capacity for a couple of weeks a year. this would make you think toward a machine that can handle part load well. something with a vfd for example. if you live somewhere that service is difficult to obtain, something like a standard york will be real durable and not as efficient as some others, but easy to service and few breakdowns in comparison. there really is soo much more to it than just looking at brand. by the way, guessing the db is a screw machine. can the mechanical room handle the noise?

[triggerhappy]

Thank you Trigger, but I would rather it not be from a manufacturer, because it's expected that they'll say their product is the best. Thank you, though.

It seems as thought you had already narrowed it down to Trane and Carrier.

Get the information from both and make you up your own mind.

There is not really that much to compare, ie.... footprint,kw per ton, cost, payback, low pres or not.

To be sure with both sets of information you can decide for your self.

I didn't read your profile but I assume that you are in the business and know something about chillers, hence know what questions to ask.

Depending on the application and who is specing the job, that will limit what machine you can use.

We always try to get things in the spec. that only we can meet as do other manufacures.

[triggerhappy]

No insite using profile.

Just buy a Trane and be done with it. :anyone:

Feel free to pile on.

[klove]

Just buy a Trane and be done with it. :anyone:Feel free to pile on.

:pileon::pileon::pileon::pileon::beat::spitball:

[Randy S.]

Whatever you put in, let the chiller control package run the pumps and the tower.

Seen too much good machinery of all brands messed up by the DDC game of multiple vendors, and finger pointers. And don't let the DDC running the coil valves slam them open or shut faster than the chiller can respond. PID basics 101 gets ignored too much.