Chillers are the single largest energy-using component in most facilities and can typically consume over 50 percent of the electrical usage. Chillers use approximately 20 percent of the total electrical power generated in North America and the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that chillers expend up to 30 percent in additional energy through inefficiency. With over 100,000 chillers in the United States alone, inefficiency costs companies billions of dollars in energy annually.
Chillers running inefficiently also results in decreased equipment reliability, increased maintenance intervals, and shortened lifespan. The slightest decrease in chiller performance can have a major impact on efficiency. For instance, every 1 degree F increase in condenser water temperature above full load design can decrease chiller efficiency by 1 percent to 2 percent. A failing or neglected water treatment program can reduce efficiency 10 percent to 35 percent or more in extreme cases.