In the process of industrial production and manufacturing, the chiller has become an indispensable temperature control device. Whether in plastic injection molding, rubber extrusion, laser cutting, printing and packaging, or even food and beverage processing, a stable and efficient cooling system directly impacts product quality and production efficiency.
However, many companies, due to lack of information or misunderstanding during the chiller selection stage, make various mistakes. This often leads to issues such as high energy consumption, poor cooling performance, and increased maintenance costs during later use.
This article provides an in-depth analysis of the most common mistakes in chiller selection and how to avoid them, helping you make the right decisions before purchase and prevent unnecessary losses.
Common Problem
Many companies focus only on equipment price when purchasing an industrial chiller and ignore the actual cooling capacity required. As a result, the unit may be undersized, causing equipment overheating, or oversized, leading to energy waste.
How to Avoid
Before selection, calculate the required cooling capacity based on process needs.
In the plastics industry, cooling demand can be estimated from the clamping force of the injection molding machine or extruder, production output, and water temperature difference.
Consult with experienced chiller manufacturers who can provide tailored solutions according to your industry requirements, instead of blindly choosing “larger horsepower.”
Common Problem
Chillers are mainly divided into air-cooled and water-cooled types. Many customers are unfamiliar with these differences, leading to improper selection.
Air cooled chillers are easy to install but become less efficient in high-temperature environments.
Water cooled chillers provide excellent efficiency but require cooling towers and pumps.
How to Avoid
If the factory has good ventilation and limited water resources, air-cooled chillers are recommended.
If a factory has a complete cooling water system and seeks long-term energy savings, water-cooled chillers are ideal.
Consider installation space, maintenance complexity, and operating cost when making a decision.
Common Problem
Some companies use standard models in southern humid environments or northern low-temperature winters, leading to high condensing pressure or freezing issues.
How to Avoid
For high-temperature environments, select chillers with enhanced heat dissipation design.
In cold regions, choose chillers with low ambient temperature operation modules to ensure smooth winter operation.
In dusty factories, add dust-proof nets or filters to prevent condenser blockage.
Common Problem
Many users focus solely on equipment price and ignore long-term operating costs. While the initial investment is lower, later electricity and maintenance costs are significantly higher.
How to Avoid
Pay attention to the energy efficiency ratio (EER or COP) and choose high-efficiency models.
Select chillers with inverter compressors or intelligent control systems, which adjust operation based on load.
In the long run, energy-efficient chillers often cost less than low-priced but inefficient models.
Common Problem
Some factories use untreated tap water or groundwater, causing scaling, corrosion, and blockage in the cooling system, which greatly reduces chiller lifespan.
How to Avoid
Equip the system with water treatment equipment to keep circulating water clean.
Regularly check water quality to prevent scaling and algae growth.
Use stainless steel pumps and corrosion-resistant pipelines to extend equipment lifespan.
Common Problem
Some companies fail to reserve enough installation and maintenance space during layout planning, making future repairs difficult, even requiring shutdowns to relocate the unit.
How to Avoid
Ensure sufficient ventilation and maintenance space around the chiller.
Reserve space for cooling towers and piping in water-cooled systems.
Perform regular maintenance such as cleaning condensers and checking refrigerant pressure to maintain long-term stability.
Common Problem
Some buyers chase the lowest price while ignoring supplier expertise and after-sales service. When failures occur, no one is available to provide support, causing production downtime.
How to Avoid
Choose experienced chiller manufacturers, not just based on price.
Verify whether the supplier offers customized solutions, installation guidance, and after-sales service.
For international trade, ensure the manufacturer has export experience and provides complete technical documents (such as CE, ISO, MSDS).
Common Problem
Many companies only consider current production capacity and fail to leave room for expansion. When capacity increases in the future, the chiller cannot meet demand.
How to Avoid
Add a 10%–20% capacity margin when calculating cooling demand.
Consider future additional production equipment and pre-install chiller interfaces.
Choose chillers that support modular expansion for greater flexibility.
Common Problem
Some companies purchase cheap, uncertified chillers that use non-compliant refrigerants or lack safety protections, creating environmental and safety risks.
How to Avoid
Ensure the chiller uses environmentally friendly refrigerants (e.g., R410A, R407C, R134a).
Check whether the unit includes high/low pressure protection, water shortage protection, and overload protection.
For export equipment, verify compliance with local environmental regulations and certifications.
Purchasing a chiller is not just a matter of price comparison. It requires a systematic evaluation of cooling demand, cooling method, energy efficiency, environmental conditions, water quality, maintenance costs, and future scalability.
By avoiding the above mistakes, you can ensure you select the chiller that best fits your factory’s needs, guaranteeing both production efficiency and long-term cost savings.
If you are currently looking for the right industrial chiller, it is highly recommended to consult with professional manufacturers about your specific requirements to obtain a customized solution. Only then can you truly achieve “buy with confidence, use with peace of mind.”
+86-178-1894-1386 
taylor_jiao@pqzili.com 
