Common Issues and Troubleshooting for WCPU in Commercial Use

Water Cooled Packaged Units (WCPU) deliver excellent performance in offices, retail stores, and malls, but like any commercial HVAC system, they can experience occasional issues. Understanding the most common problems and how to troubleshoot them helps maintain peak efficiency, reduce downtime, and extend equipment life.

Frequent WCPU Issues in Commercial Environments:

• Condenser water flow problems – Low flow, air in the loop, or pump/valve failures leading to high head pressure and reduced cooling capacity
• Scaling and fouling in the water-cooled condenser – Mineral buildup drastically lowers heat transfer efficiency
• Water leaks from coil connections, drain pans, or piping joints – especially common in high-rise buildings with long condenser water runs
• Chiller/cooling tower issues affecting the entire loop – temperature too high or low impacts all connected WCPU units
• Refrigerant leaks or low charge – resulting in poor cooling and possible compressor damage
• Control and sensor failures – causing erratic operation, frequent cycling, or complete shutdown
• Airflow restrictions – dirty filters, blocked coils, or fan motor problems reducing overall performance