Brian O'Donnell gave a presentation at the "Conference on CFC Phase Out in Commercial, Industrial, Institutional Buildings" on the potential for reduced costs when dealing with a chiller replacement. Here are some highlights.

Containment Conversion Replacement

A CFC Phase Out Plan has three paths that can be chosen: containment, conversion or replacement. Containment is an interim solution, as refrigerant supply guarantees are for a limited time and costs will rise as supply diminishes. Conversion and replacement are the longer term solutions. Replacement can often result in the best life cycle cost and should be given careful consideration.

Turn A Problem Into An Opportunity

"It's not easy being green" can easily be applied to CFC Refrigerant Phase Out. "It's not easy, and it's not cheap". However, the period leading up to a chiller replacement presents a unique timing opportunity to maximize the benefits of other building improvements that can impact on chiller sizing and selection. Some examples are reduced lighting loads, solar film, air handling unit conversions to VAV, adjustable speed drives, and free cooling.

Don't Direct Replace

Don't just replace your chiller with a new CFC free machine that's the same size. A comprehensive approach is required to determine the best chiller solution. The sizing of the existing chiller should be compared to the building's present cooling load. It is likely that over the life of the building changes have occurred that impact on cooling load, such as an energy conservation retrofits, and increases in tenant receptacle load.

Chiller Selection

There are a host of chiller types and configurations available: centrifugal, reciprocating, screw, and scroll. Each has its benefits and limitations to be evaluated, with the best choice being "site specific". Other important decisions that must be made include: the choice of refrigerant, physical size and accessibility, option for a modular system, chiller efficiency, part load performance, Variable Speed Drive motor control, water flow needs.

Chiller Life Cycle Cost

The initial cost of a chiller is only a small portion of its life cycle cost. Savings on the installation cost may result in a higher life cycle cost due to higher energy cost. An improvement in the full load efficiency and more importantly, the part load efficiency of your chiller, can save 15% of the life cycle cost of owning your chiller.