Air cooled chiller plants and AHU chiller plants have become integral components of modern HVAC systems to afford easy cooling solutions in numerous applications. An air cooled chiller plant uses the ambient air to carry away the heat from the working fluid; this is, thus, perfectly suited for areas where water sources are scarce or costly. Such systems are renowned for their installation and maintenance with the absence of a cooling tower and complex water management systems. For most facilities and structures, in terms of physical space, the use of this type of facility will be most appropriate since such can be easily mounted on top of a structure or any place that is mostly outside.
On the other hand, an AHU AirHandlingUnit chiller plant integrates the functionalities of chillers with air handling units to provide efficient air distribution and conditioning within a building. The AHU operates in conjunction with the chiller to distribute cooled air in a more efficient manner, which in turn improves the overall comfort and quality of the air in the facility. This integration is very helpful in large commercial or industrial facilities where accurate temperature control and air distribution are very important.
Air-cooled chiller plants and AHU chiller plants are distinct with different benefits; therefore, which one is more appropriate in terms of particular cooling needs and environment depends upon budget considerations. Therefore, this would allow the facility manager to take the proper decisions regarding maximum efficiency of cooling while gaining energy saving benefits.