Chiller Comparison Online Tool

A Facility Director used this tool to compare repairing an existing chiller with replacement using one of 5 new chillers from 3 manufacturers. He showed the administration that keeping the old chiller would have a net present cost of $1,526,000 over 20 years while the best replacement would have a 20 year NPV cost of $1,020,000. This tool was also used to justify the maximum utility rebate. Another facility found that retrofitting an existing chiller with a variable speed compressor was the Purchasing or retrofitting a chiller can represent a very large investment and the total cost of ownership over 20 or 25 years can vary dramatically based on the efficiency of the chiller and how it matches your building load profile. NPLV and IPLV numbers seldom suggest how a chiller will perform in a multiple chiller system. In the Pacific Northwest, the present value of purchasing, operating and maintaining 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 chiller is selected and the lowest first cost chiller is seldom the least Determining the lowest total cost of ownership is a very complex task and is seldom attempted by consultants or owners. Conservation Catalysts recognizes that making the best chiller selection might reduce energy consumption by up to 1,000 KWH per ton per year and has developed a chiller 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 and load profile. This does not determine the best cooling tower characteristics but it does suggest some default values and allows the user to make judgments 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 select the best TCO offering using the owners 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 seldom the best performance 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 efficient compressors and 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 only, exact size, minimum 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% larger than required). Have the vendors identify the optimum size based on their product line and The most cost effective new chiller (90 tons or larger) is probably NOT a conventional fixed speed This tool may help the vendor make the perfect selection. For example, making a $250 impeller change to a 1,400 ton chiller reduced the 20 year cost of ownership by $85,000.

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

BetterBricks Simple Calculator - CHILLER TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP ESTIM Chiller Evaluated: Chiller 1

Net Present Value of Total Cost of Ownership =

$
at
180

42
160

for

Minimum Required Tons = Operating Tons* = 200

95 90

200
200

Degrees F. Leaving Evaporator Wa

140

Entering Condenser Temperature (ECT)F

85 80 75 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 = 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 This is often the incremental cost diff This may equal the cost of the least e

Contract Duration =

$ $ $ $ $ $ 3% 6% 6% 25

2,566 GPM x Ft Head x (.746/.92) x Annual 0.065 Full Maintenance Contract price divid -

Reasonable default might be 3% Reasonable default might be 6% Reasonable default might be 4% to 6 Total Costs of Ownership (TCO) will b

Tons KWH/YR Hours/YR KW/ton ECT at Load

200 0 1 0.000 95 85

180 0 4 0.000 95 80

160 0 20 0.000 90 75

140 0 55 0.000 90 70

CHILLER LOAD PROFILE 120 100 0 0 100 100 0.000 0.000 85 80 70 70

OST OF OWNERSHIP ESTIMATOR 3.0

25
120

years

egrees F. Leaving Evaporator Water Temperature (LEWT)

100 80 60 40 20

42 at at

degree F. LEWT Ft of Head Ft of Head Ft of Head Ft of Head

Building Pumping energy can be added to your calculations but it is not necessar be a good place to compare piping and control variables.

clude 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 0 260 0.000 75 70 60 0 330 0.000 70 65 40 0 406 0.000 65 65 20 0 1,290 0.000 60 60

100% to 10% in 10% increments

Approximate ECT (water or air temperature entering the condenser) in 5 increme

Default Condenser WATER Temperature Value Suggestions which you may choos offering. These numbers might work in the Puget Sound area but can vary dram

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 would ce to compare piping and control variables.

ore efficient and expensive chiller.

ct duration to include all major sechduled maintenance.

n 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 an se numbers might work in the Puget Sound area but can vary dramatically depending on your humidity levels.

BIN NUMBERS
OSAT ( F)
o

SEATTLE BIN HOURS

BIN (Hours)

102.5 97.5 92.5 87.5 82.5 77.5 72.5 67.5 62.5 57.5 52.5

0 4 4 4 78 137 348 406 1018 1379 1335

BetterBricks Simple Calculator - CHILLER TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP ESTIMATOR 3.0 Chiller Evaluated: Chiller 2

Present Value of Total Cost of Ownership = Minimum Required Tons = Operating Tons* = 200
85 80 75 70 65 60 55

#N/A
at
180

for 42

25
120

years

200
200

Degrees F. Leaving Evaporator Water Temperature (LEWT)

140 100 80 60 40

160

System designer will provide information for YELLOW cells.

Entering Condenser Temperature (ECT)F

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.

200 Total Chiller Tons @ 85 degree F. ECWT and Condenser Design GPM and Pressure Drop GPM Evaporator Design GPM and Pressure Drop 0 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 = 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 =

42 at at

degree F. LEWT Ft of Head 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 chiller. This would be a good place to compare piping and control variables.

$ $

2,160 #N/A

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.

$ #N/A $ #N/A $ #N/A 3% 6% 6% 25

GPM x Ft Head x (.746/.92) x Annual Hrs x 0.060 From Input 1 worksheet -

0.000308

equals full speed KWH/Yr

Typically maintenance cost but could be fuel savings (as negative value), etc. From "Input 1" worksheet From "Input 1" worksheet From "Input 1" worksheet From "Input 1" worksheet

Tons KWH/YR Hours/YR KW/ton ECT at Load

200 #N/A 1 #N/A 95 85

180 #N/A 4 #N/A 95 80

160 #N/A 20 #N/A 90 75

CHILLER LOAD PROFILE 140 120 100 #N/A 0 0 55 100 100 #N/A 0.000 0.000 90 85 80 70 70 70

80 0 260 0.000 75 70

60 0 330 0.000 70 65

40 0 1,290 0.000 60 60

100% to 20% in 10% increments

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 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 ESTIM Chiller Evaluated: Chiller 3

Present Value of Total Cost of Ownership = Minimum Required Tons = Operating Tons* = 0
85 80 75 70 65 60 55

#N/A
at
180

for 42 Degrees F. Leaving Evaporator Water

140

200
200

160

Entering Condenser Temperature (ECT)F

Total Chiller Tons @ 85 degree F. ECWT 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 = 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 =

2,160 #N/A

Include variations in installation costs, pac This is often the incremental cost differen This may equal the cost of the least expen

Contract Duration =

$ #N/A $ #N/A $ #N/A 3% 6% 6% 25

GPM x Ft Head x (.746/.92) x Annual Hrs x 0.060 From Input 1 worksheet -

Typically maintenance cost but could be f From "Input 1" worksheet From "Input 1" worksheet From "Input 1" worksheet From "Input 1" worksheet

Tons KWH/YR Hours/YR KW/ton

200 #N/A 1 #N/A

180 #N/A 4 #N/A

160 #N/A 20 #N/A

CHILLER LOAD PROFILE 140 120 100 #N/A 0 0 55 100 100 #N/A 0.000 0.000

ECT at Load

95 85

95 80

90 75

90 70

85 70

80 70

COST OF OWNERSHIP ESTIMATOR 3.0

25
120

years

egrees F. Leaving Evaporator Water Temperature (LEWT)

100 80 60 40

42 at at

degree F. LEWT Ft of Head Ft of Head Ft of Head Ft of Head

ressure drop

Building Pumping energy can be added to your calculations but it is not necessar would be a good place to compare piping and control variables.

clude 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 rom Input 1 worksheet

0.000308

equals full speed KWH/Yr

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

rom "Input 1" worksheet rom "Input 1" worksheet rom "Input 1" worksheet rom "Input 1" worksheet

FILE 80 0 260 0.000 60 0 330 0.000 40 0 1,290 0.000

100% to 20% in 10% increments

75 70

70 65

60 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 select an offering. These numbers might work in the Puget Sound area but can vary dramatic 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. This d be a good place to compare piping and control variables.

and a more efficient and expensive chiller.

h contract duration to include all major sechduled maintenance.

0% increments

(water or air temperature entering the condenser) in 5 increments. r 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 25 Study Period (Years)

Inputs Link 25 Study Period (Years)

3% Electricity Inflation Rate

6.0% Annual O&M Inflation Rate 6.0% Discount Rate $0 Initial Net Cost $ $ - First Year Electric Costs - Annual O&M Cost Annual Cash Flow Cost Adjustments: Maint. Contract, etc. Total 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

3% Electricity Inflation Rate

6.0% Discount Rate - Initial Net Cost First Year Electric Costs - Annual O&M Cost

6.0% Annual O&M Inflation Rate

Ann

Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Costs 0 $ -

Operating Costs

Net Present Value of Total Costs $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ N/A N/A N/A N/A -

Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Costs 0 $ -

30 Totals $ -

N/A $ -

N/A $ -

N/A $ -

N/A $ Totals

30 $ -

Inputs Linked from "Input 2" Page

Inputs Linked from "Input 3" Page 25 Study Period (Years)

Study Period (Years)

Electricity Inflation Rate

3% Electricity Inflation Rate

6.0% Annual O&M Inflation Rate 6.0% Discount Rate $ #N/A $ - Initial Net Cost First Year Electric Costs - Annual O&M Cost Annual Cash Flow

Annual O&M Inflation Rate

Discount Rate

Initial Net Cost

First Year Electric Costs

Annual O&M Cost Annual Cash Flow Cost Adjustments: Maint. Contract, etc. Total 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 -

Operating Costs

Net Present Value of Total 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 -

Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Costs 0 $ -

Operating 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 Totals

30 $ -

N/A #N/A

Inputs Linked from "Input 3" Page

Annual Cash Flow Cost Adjustments: Maint. Contract, etc. Total 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 -

Net Present Value of Total 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