The Complete Guide to Commercial Chiller Repair | Parts, Tools & Accessories
Commercial chiller repair can be a costly and time-consuming process if you don’t know what you’re doing. However, with this guide, you’ll learn how to properly diagnose and fix your industrial chiller system so that it’s working at full capacity again.
Tips for Commercial Chiller Repair & Maintenance
“Many repair calls we receive could have been avoided with a simple quarterly inspection. Catching small issues early on is the key to avoiding massive repair costs.”
Commercial chiller repair is an essential part of any chiller system owner’s job. There are many causes of an industrial chiller breakdown, but they can be prevented by using a few simple steps and sticking to a routine of regular maintenance.
- Perform routine maintenance every quarter. Your chiller manufacturer should provide you with a chiller inspection form as guidance.
- Join a preventive maintenance program to reduce the risk of costly breakdowns.
- Always use experienced professionals or a licensed HVAC company to perform maintenance and repairs.
- Inspect heat transfer fluid to ensure it is clean and properly rated for temperature control in ambient and process conditions.
- Check the “Y” strainer and confirm it is free of debris that might restrict flow.
- Clean condenser coils to promote airflow and maintain energy efficiency.
- Measure and monitor condenser and evaporator pressures for proper system operation.
- Inspect wiring and electrical connections; loose wires can lead to faults.
- Verify chiller safety switches are functioning correctly.
- Examine the fan blade, shaft, bearings, and motor for wear.
- Clean and tighten electrical contacts.
- Inspect the chiller pump for seal leaks and bearing issues.
- Check all piping and Schrader valve for signs of leakage and proper sealing.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to check airflow obstructions around outdoor units, especially on air cooled chillers during fall and winter months.
All of these steps contribute to keeping your system operating smoothly and achieving optimal performance.
Check out our Industrial Chiller Maintenance Checklist for more information.
Chiller Repair Frequency & Downtime Risk Chart
| Maintenance Type | Frequency | Downtime Risk if Ignored | Estimated Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil Cleaning | Quarterly | Medium | $800 – $1,500 |
| Refrigerant Leak Check | Quarterly | High | $1,200 – $3,000 |
| Electrical Inspection | Bi-Annually | Medium | $500 – $2,000 |
| Pump Seal Inspection | Annually | High | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| Full System Performance Test | Annually | Very High | $2,500 – $5,000 |
Chiller Parts, Tools & Accessories
Knowing what parts and tools are necessary is key to efficient repair and preventive maintenance.
Must-Have Tools for Chiller Maintenance:
- Refractometer: Ensures glycol concentration provides adequate freeze protection.
- Ohmmeter: Tests resistance of compressor, pump, and fan motor.
- Voltmeter: Verifies that voltage input is within 10% of rated voltage.
- Hand Tools: Essential for tightening, removing, or replacing components.
Cold Shot Chillers carries a complete line of high-quality chiller system parts and accessories, including:
Chiller Wear Parts
Wear parts are the parts of a chiller that show the most wear and need to be replaced every so often. Some common types of wear parts are:
- Motor starter
- Bearings
- Pump seals
- Thermal couples
- Flow switch
- Fuses
- Solenoid valves
- Thermal expansion valve
- Temperature controller
- Switches
At Cold Shot Chillers, we recommend keeping a minimum amount of spare parts on hand to prevent unnecessary downtime.
Browse our selection of chiller accessories and tools.
Cold Shot Chillers Guardian App
A great tool that provides predictive maintenance is the use of the Cold Shot Guardian™ App. This game-changing predictive maintenance app is designed to monitor your process chiller operation and always keep you up to date on your equipment’s status. Receive maintenance alerts, installation tips, operational warnings, and more—all via text or email. Say goodbye to unscheduled downtime with this “smart” chiller technology.
Ideally, this technology would be for brand new chiller purchases. In some cases, we add the Guardian hardware to chillers in the field with limited features but still provide the operating condition of the chiller.
Learn more about the Cold Shot Guardian™ App.
Services Chiller Operators Can Depend On
Cold Shot Chillers provides a full range of services chiller owners need:
- On-site repair services for air cooled and water cooled chillers
- Replacement parts
- Long-term service contracts
- Expert diagnostics
- Performance testing support
Our team of experienced professionals helps you avoid downtime and ensures your chiller system runs smoothly year-round.
Trust the Experts at Cold Shot Chillers
The first step in preventing malfunctions is to make sure that your chiller is well-maintained. The best way to do this is by having a qualified technician inspect the chiller regularly. If there are any issues, they can be addressed before they become problems.
Cold Shot Chillers is one of the leading chiller manufacturers of cooling equipment for commercial and industrial use. Our team of experts has been around for decades, and our longevity in this industry speaks volumes about our quality products.
Contact our team today to learn about our advanced chiller systems and other cooling solutions.