There have been numerous studies that have shown regular maintenance extends the life of HVAC equipment, and chillers are no exception to that rule. But unfortunately, many building owners and facility managers defer maintenance due to budgetary constraints or other reasons, which can lead to performance issues later down the road. In fact, according to Allen Irvine, vice president of service division, Thermal Concepts, Davie, Florida, the biggest cause for chiller failure in south Florida is maintenance deferment.
“We have a lot of older chillers in Miami because air conditioning has been around a long time in Florida,” Irvine said. “And, because of the economy recessions back in the mid-2000s, there was a lot of maintenance deferred. Stuff like vibration analysis, eddy current analysis, and 10-year overhauls were not completed. Manufacturers recommend a complete tear down be performed at the 10-year life mark of either high- or low-pressure machines. You go through and replace bearings, gaskets, and rework the veins.