Understanding how a chiller system works is fundamental for facility managers, HVAC engineers, MEP consultants, and building owners—especially in Malaysia’s hot and humid climate.
From commercial towers in Kuala Lumpur to industrial plants in Johor and Terengganu, water-cooled chiller systems are the backbone of large-scale air-conditioning systems.
In this article, we break down the chiller working principle, the chilled water cycle, and why proper operation and maintenance are critical for energy efficiency and system reliability.
A chiller system is a central cooling system that removes heat from a building and transfers it outside.
In simple terms:
The building gives heat to chilled water →
The chiller removes that heat →
The cooling tower throws it outside →
The cycle repeats continuously.
Most commercial buildings use water-cooled chillers because they are more energy-efficient for large cooling loads.
Warm return air from the building passes over chilled water coils inside the Air Handling Unit (AHU).
Chilled water absorbs the heat from the air
The cooled air is supplied back into the building
The water temperature increases after absorbing heat
This process improves indoor comfort and humidity control.
The chiller produces cold water at approximately 6–7°C and sends it through the chilled water piping network to multiple AHUs.
This is known as the chilled water supply line.
After absorbing heat from indoor air:
The water temperature rises to around 12°C
It returns to the chiller to be cooled again
This continuous circulation is called the chilled water loop.
The chilled water pump ensures:
Without proper pump performance, the system can suffer from:
The chiller is the heart of the system.
Inside the chiller:
The condenser water absorbs heat from the refrigerant and exits the chiller at a higher temperature (around 37°C).
This hot water flows to the cooling tower.
The cooling tower removes unwanted heat through evaporation.
The cooled water then returns to the chiller to repeat the cycle.
This pump keeps the condenser water circulating between:
If the condenser loop fails, the chiller will overheat and trip.
For facility managers and plant engineers, understanding the chilled water cycle helps in:
✔ Diagnosing poor cooling performance
✔ Identifying high energy usage
✔ Preventing compressor failure
✔ Extending equipment lifespan
✔ Meeting energy efficiency targets
Poor maintenance can result in:
In Malaysia, where chillers often run year-round, inefficient systems can increase operational costs significantly.
An optimized chilled water system delivers:
Energy-efficient strategies include:
• The building transfers heat to chilled water
• The chiller removes heat from that water
• The cooling tower rejects heat outside
• Pumps keep everything moving
• The process repeats continuously
This closed-loop system ensures comfort, productivity, and energy control.
If your facility is experiencing:
It may be time for a professional system assessment.
👉 Contact our HVAC engineering team today for:
Let’s help you reduce operational costs while improving system reliability.
📩 Reach out now to schedule a consultation.
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