Chiller Comparison Online Tool

A Facility Director used this tool to compare repairing an existing chiller with replacement using one of 5 new chiller
He showed the administration that keeping the old chiller would have a net present cost of $1,526,000 over 20 yea
replacement would have a 20 year NPV cost of $1,020,000. This tool was also used to justify the maximum utility re

Another facility found that retrofitting an existing chiller with a variable speed compressor was the most cost effecti

Purchasing or retrofitting a chiller can represent a very large investment and the total cost of ownership over 20 or
dramatically based on the efficiency of the chiller and how it matches your building load profile. NPLV and IPLV num
how a chiller will perform in a multiple chiller system. In the Pacific Northwest, the present value of purchasing, op
a 500 ton chiller in a hospital for 20 years can vary from $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 depending on how well the chille
lowest first cost chiller is seldom the least expensive chiller to own and operate. Retrofitting an existing chiller with
compressor can be even more cost effective in a difficult location.

Determining the lowest total cost of ownership is a very complex task and is seldom attempted by consultants or ow
Catalysts recognizes that making the best chiller selection might reduce energy consumption by up to 1,000 KWH pe
developed a chiller comparison tool in order to help owners purchase the best chiller for their specific needs.

Chiller Comparison Tool:

When using this tool, please note:

·         This is NOT a design tool. The system designer or a sophisticated owner must determine the necessary chiller capacity an
·         This does not determine the best cooling tower characteristics but it does suggest some default values and allows the us
about the most appropriate cooling towers.

Who would use this tool?

·         The owner might require that the designer and vendors use this tool.
·         The owner or designer would typically insert the system information and then provide this tool to vendors to help them s
offering using the owner’s criteria.
·         The owner would use this tool with vendor provided information to select the lowest TCO and “best offer”.

Why is it important to use the Chiller Tool?

·         It helps the designer and vendors identify the best chiller available rather than specifying a performance level that is seld
available for your particular load characteristics.
·         It can compare the present value of continuing to use an existing chiller, retrofitting an existing chiller with more efficien
completely replacing an existing chiller with a brand new chiller.
·         It helps you specify the best new chiller without requiring arbitrary characteristics (such as a favorite brand, centrifugal o
efficiency rating, etc.)

Common Results from using this tool:

·         It is often more cost effective to retrofit an existing chiller rather than replacing it with a new chiller.
·         It will often be more cost effective to purchase a larger than needed variable speed chiller (in the range of 20% to 30% la
the vendors identify the optimum size based on their product line and installation restrictions.
·         The most cost effective new chiller (90 tons or larger) is probably NOT a conventional fixed speed centrifugal.
·         This tool may help the vendor make the “perfect” selection. For example, making a $250 impeller change to a 1,400 ton
cost of ownership by $85,000.

Let us know how you like this tool - don@conservaioncatalysts.com

I
 BetterBricks Simple Calculator - CHILLER TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP ESTIM

Chiller Evaluated: Chiller 1

Net Present Value of Total Cost of Ownership = $ - for

Minimum Required Tons = 200 at 42 Degrees F. Leaving Evaporator Wat

Operating Tons* = 200 200 180 160 140
95
90
85
Entering 80
Condenser
Temperature 75
(ECT)°F 70
65
60
55
200 Total Chiller Tons @ 95 degree F. ECT and
Condenser Design GPM and Pressure Drop GPM
Evaporator Design GPM and Pressure Drop GPM
Building Condenser Water Pressure Drop @ Design GPM not including condenser pressure drop
Building Chilled Water Pressure Drop @ Design GPM not including evaporator pressure drop

Bid Price of Chiller = Include variations in installation costs,

Utility Incentive =
Net Chiller Cost =
Bid Price of Full Maintenance Contract =
Annual Hours of Operation =
Annual Chiller KWH =
Ballpark Annual Pumping KWH =
Cost of Electricity per KWH =
Annual Chiller Electric Costs =
Ballpark Annual Pumping Electric Costs =
Total Annual Electric Cost =
Annual O&M Cost =
Total First Year Operating Costs =
Annual Electricity Inflation Rate =
Annual O&M Inflation Rate =
This is often the incremental cost diffe
$ - This may equal the cost of the least exp
Contract Duration =
2,566
-
- GPM x Ft Head x (.746/.92) x Annual H
$ 0.065
$ -
$ -
$ -
$ - Full Maintenance Contract price divide
$ -
3% Reasonable default might be 3%
6% Reasonable default might be 6%
 Discount Rate = 6% Reasonable default might be 4% to 6%
Anticipated Years of Chiller Use = 25 Total Costs of Ownership (TCO) will be

CHILLER LOAD PROFILE

Tons 200 180 160 140 120 100
KWH/YR 0 0 0 0 0 0
Hours/YR 1 4 20 55 100 100
KW/ton
ECT at Load 95 95 90 90 85 80

85 80 75 70 70 70
OST OF OWNERSHIP ESTIMATOR 3.0

25 years

egrees F. Leaving Evaporator Water Temperature (LEWT)

120 100 80 60 40 20

42 degree F. LEWT
at Ft of Head
at Ft of Head
Ft of Head Building Pumping energy can be added to your calculations but it is not necessary
would be a good place to compare piping and control variables.
Ft of Head

nclude variations in installation costs, package pricing, etc.

his is often the incremental cost difference between a code compliant chiller and a more efficient and expensive chiller.
his may equal the cost of the least expensive code compliant chiller.
ontract Duration = 7.0 years Pick a long enough contract duration to include all major sechduled maintenance.

PM x Ft Head x (.746/.92) x Annual Hrs x 0.000308 equals full speed KWH/Yr

ull Maintenance Contract price divided by number of years.

easonable default might be 3%

easonable default might be 6%
easonable default might be 4% to 6%
otal Costs of Ownership (TCO) will be evaluated over this period of time.

LE
80 60 40 20 100% to 10% in 10% increments
0 0 0 0
260 330 406 1,290

75 70 65 60 Approximate ECT (water or air temperature entering the condenser) in 5˚ incremen

70 65 65 60 Default Condenser WATER Temperature Value Suggestions which you may choos
an offering. These numbers might work in the Puget Sound area but can vary dra
 System designer will provide information for YELLOW cells.

Chiller vendor will provide information for BLUE cells. Use ARI certified KW/ton
values in each of the BLUE cells to the right. Vendor will also provide total
chiller tons and heat exchanger pressure drops at design GPM.

ping energy can be added to your calculations but it is not necessary for selecting a chiller. This
ood place to compare piping and control variables.

more efficient and expensive chiller.

ct duration to include all major sechduled maintenance.

in 10% increments

ECT (water or air temperature entering the condenser) in 5˚ increments.

enser WATER Temperature Value Suggestions which you may choose to provide to vendors to help them select
These numbers might work in the Puget Sound area but can vary dramatically depending on your humidity levels.
 SEATTLE
BIN BIN
NUMBERS HOURS
OSAT BIN
(oF) (Hours)
102.5 0

97.5 4

92.5 4
87.5 4
82.5 78
77.5 137
72.5 348
67.5 406
62.5 1018
57.5 1379
52.5 1335
 BetterBricks Simple Calculator - CHILLER TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP ESTIMATOR 3.0

Chiller Evaluated: Chiller 2

Present Value of Total Cost of Ownership = #N/A for 25 years

Minimum Required Tons = 200 at 42 Degrees F. Leaving Evaporator Water Temperature (LEWT)
Operating Tons* = 200 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 System designer will provide information for YELLOW cells.
85
80
Entering 75 Chiller vendor will provide information for BLUE cells. Use ARI certified KW/ton
Condenser values in each of the BLUE cells to the right. Vendor will also provide total
Temperature 70
chiller tons and heat exchanger pressure drops at design GPM.
(ECT)°F 65
60
55
200 Total Chiller Tons @ 85 degree F. ECWT and 42 degree F. LEWT
Condenser Design GPM and Pressure Drop GPM at Ft of Head
Evaporator Design GPM and Pressure Drop 0 GPM at Ft of Head
Building Condenser Water Pressure Drop @ Design GPM not including condenser pressure drop Ft of Head Building Pumping energy can be added to your calculations but it is not necessary for selecting a chiller.
This would be a good place to compare piping and control variables.
Building Chilled Water Pressure Drop @ Design GPM not including evaporator pressure drop Ft of Head

Bid Price of Chiller =
Utility Incentive =
Net Chiller Cost =
Bid Price of Full Maintenance Contract =
Annual Hours of Operation =
Annual Chiller KWH =
Ballpark Annual Pumping KWH =
Cost of Electricity per KWH =
Annual Chiller Electric Costs =
Ballpark Annual Pumping Electric Costs =
Total Annual Electric Cost =
Annual O&M Cost =
Total First Year Operating Costs =
Annual Electricity Inflation Rate =
Annual O&M Inflation Rate =
Discount Rate =
Anticipated Years of Chiller Use =
Include variations in installation costs, package pricing, etc.
$ - This is often the incremental cost difference between a code compliant chiller and a more efficient and expensive chiller.
$ - This may equal the cost of the least expensive code compliant chiller.
Contract Duration = 7.0 years Pick a long enough contract duration to include all major sechduled maintenance.
2,160
#N/A
- GPM x Ft Head x (.746/.92) x Annual Hrs x 0.000308 equals full speed KWH/Yr
$ 0.060 From Input 1 worksheet
#N/A
$ -
#N/A
$ - Typically maintenance cost but could be fuel savings (as negative value), etc.
#N/A
3% From "Input 1" worksheet
6% From "Input 1" worksheet
6% From "Input 1" worksheet
25 From "Input 1" worksheet

CHILLER LOAD PROFILE

Tons 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 100% to 20% in 10% increments
KWH/YR #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A 0 0 0 0 0
Hours/YR 1 4 20 55 100 100 260 330 1,290
KW/ton #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A
ECT at Load 95 95 90 90 85 80 75 70 60 Approximate ECT (water or air temperature entering the condenser) in 5˚ increments.

Default Condenser WATER Temperature Value Suggestions which you may choose to provide to vendors to help them
85 80 75 70 70 70 70 65 60 select an offering. These numbers might work in the Puget Sound area but can vary dramatically depending on your
humidity levels.
 BetterBricks Simple Calculator - CHILLER TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP ESTIMA

Chiller Evaluated: Chiller 3

Present Value of Total Cost of Ownership = #N/A for 25

Minimum Required Tons = 200 at 42 Degrees F. Leaving Evaporator Water Te
Operating Tons* = 0 200 180 160 140 120
85
80
Entering 75
Condenser
Temperature 70
(ECT)°F 65
60
55
Total Chiller Tons @ 85 degree F. ECWT and
Condenser Design GPM and Pressure Drop GPM at
Evaporator Design GPM and Pressure Drop GPM at
Building Condenser Water Pressure Drop @ Design GPM not including condenser pressure drop
Building Chilled Water Pressure Drop @ Design GPM not including evaporator pressure drop

Bid Price of Chiller = Include variations in installation costs, pack

Utility Incentive =
Net Chiller Cost =
Bid Price of Full Maintenance Contract =
Annual Hours of Operation =
Annual Chiller KWH =
Ballpark Annual Pumping KWH =
Cost of Electricity per KWH =
Annual Chiller Electric Costs =
Ballpark Annual Pumping Electric Costs =
Total Annual Electric Cost =
Annual O&M Cost =
Total First Year Operating Costs =
Annual Electricity Inflation Rate =
Annual O&M Inflation Rate =
Discount Rate =
Anticipated Years of Chiller Use =
This is often the incremental cost difference
$ - This may equal the cost of the least expens
Contract Duration =
2,160
#N/A
- GPM x Ft Head x (.746/.92) x Annual Hrs x
$ 0.060 From Input 1 worksheet
#N/A
$ -
#N/A
$ - Typically maintenance cost but could be fue
#N/A
3% From "Input 1" worksheet
6% From "Input 1" worksheet
6% From "Input 1" worksheet
25 From "Input 1" worksheet

CHILLER LOAD PROFILE

Tons 200 180 160 140 120 100 80
KWH/YR #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A 0 0 0
Hours/YR 1 4 20 55 100 100 260
KW/ton #N/A #N/A #N/A #N/A
ECT at Load 95 95 90 90 85 80 75

85 80 75 70 70 70 70
WNERSHIP ESTIMATOR 3.0

years

ving Evaporator Water Temperature (LEWT)

100 80 60 40

42 degree F. LEWT
Ft of Head
Ft of Head
Ft of Head Building Pumping energy can be added to your calculations but it is not necessary for selecting a
This would be a good place to compare piping and control variables.
Ft of Head

ns in installation costs, package pricing, etc.

incremental cost difference between a code compliant chiller and a more efficient and expensive chiller.
the cost of the least expensive code compliant chiller.
7.0 years Pick a long enough contract duration to include all major sechduled maintenance.

x (.746/.92) x Annual Hrs x 0.000308 equals full speed KWH/Yr

nance cost but could be fuel savings (as negative value), etc.

60 40 100% to 20% in 10% increments

 0 0
330 1,290

70 60 Approximate ECT (water or air temperature entering the condenser) in 5˚ increments.

Default Condenser WATER Temperature Value Suggestions which you may choose to provide to vendors to
65 60 select an offering. These numbers might work in the Puget Sound area but can vary dramatically depending
humidity levels.
 System designer will provide information for YELLOW cells.

Chiller vendor will provide information for BLUE cells. Use ARI certified KW/ton
values in each of the BLUE cells to the right. Vendor will also provide total
chiller tons and heat exchanger pressure drops at design GPM.

ing Pumping energy can be added to your calculations but it is not necessary for selecting a chiller.
would be a good place to compare piping and control variables.

er and a more efficient and expensive chiller.

gh contract duration to include all major sechduled maintenance.

0% increments
 (water or air temperature entering the condenser) in 5˚ increments.

er WATER Temperature Value Suggestions which you may choose to provide to vendors to help them
. These numbers might work in the Puget Sound area but can vary dramatically depending on your
 Inputs Linked from "Input 1" Page Inputs Linked

25 Study Period (Years) 25 Study Period (Years)

3% Electricity Inflation Rate 3% Electricity Inflation Rate
6.0% Annual O&M Inflation Rate 6.0% Annual O&M Inflation Rate
6.0% Discount Rate 6.0% Discount Rate

$0 Initial Net Cost $ - Initial Net Cost

$ - First Year Electric Costs #N/A First Year Electric Costs
$ - Annual O&M Cost $ - Annual O&M Cost

Annual Cash Flow Annua

Cost
Adjustments: Net Present
Operating Maint. Contract, Value of Total
Year Costs Costs etc. Total Costs Costs Year Costs
0 $ - $ - $ - 0 $ -
1 $ - $ - $ - $ - 1
2 $ - $ - $ - $ - 2
3 $ - $ - $ - $ - 3
4 $ - $ - $ - $ - 4
5 $ - $ - $ - $ - 5
6 $ - $ - $ - $ - 6
7 $ - $ - $ - $ - 7
8 $ - $ - $ - $ - 8
9 $ - $ - $ - $ - 9
10 $ - $ - $ - $ - 10
11 $ - $ - $ - $ - 11
12 $ - $ - $ - $ - 12
13 $ - $ - $ - $ - 13
14 $ - $ - $ - $ - 14
15 $ - $ - $ - $ - 15
16 $ - $ - $ - $ - 16
17 $ - $ - $ - $ - 17
18 $ - $ - $ - $ - 18
19 $ - $ - $ - $ - 19
20 $ - $ - $ - $ - 20
21 $ - $ - $ - $ - 21
22 $ - $ - $ - $ - 22
23 $ - $ - $ - $ - 23
24 $ - $ - $ - $ - 24
25 $ - $ - $ - $ - 25
26 N/A N/A N/A N/A 26
27 N/A N/A N/A N/A 27
28 N/A N/A N/A N/A 28
 29 N/A N/A N/A N/A 29
30 N/A N/A N/A N/A 30
Totals $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Totals $ -
 Inputs Linked from "Input 2" Page Inputs Linked from "Input 3" Page

Study Period (Years) 25 Study Period (Years)

Electricity Inflation Rate 3% Electricity Inflation Rate
Annual O&M Inflation Rate 6.0% Annual O&M Inflation Rate
Discount Rate 6.0% Discount Rate

Initial Net Cost $ - Initial Net Cost

First Year Electric Costs #N/A First Year Electric Costs
Annual O&M Cost $ - Annual O&M Cost

Annual Cash Flow Annual Cash Flow

Cost
Adjustments: Net Present
Operating Maint. Contract, Value of Total Operating
Costs etc. Total Costs Costs Year Costs Costs
$ - $ - 0 $ -
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 1 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 2 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 3 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 4 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 5 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 6 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 7 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 8 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 9 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 10 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 11 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 12 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 13 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 14 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 15 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 16 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 17 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 18 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 19 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 20 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 21 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 22 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 23 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 24 #N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A 25 #N/A
N/A N/A N/A N/A 26 N/A
N/A N/A N/A N/A 27 N/A
N/A N/A N/A N/A 28 N/A
N/A N/A N/A N/A 29 N/A
N/A N/A N/A N/A 30 N/A
#N/A $ - #N/A #N/A Totals $ - #N/A
Inputs Linked from "Input 3" Page

Annual Cash Flow

Cost
Adjustments: Net Present
Maint. Value of Total
Contract, etc. Total Costs Costs
$ - $ -
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A
N/A N/A N/A
N/A N/A N/A
N/A N/A N/A
N/A N/A N/A
N/A N/A N/A
$ - #N/A #N/A