Read an Air Cooled Chiller Datasheet Without Being Misled
If you have ever compared two Air Cooled Chillers side by side, you know how confusing datasheets can be. One model Another claims A third one promises lower sound.
looks
more higher
efficient. capacity.
And somehow all of them claim to be “best in class.” The truth is simple. Most chiller datasheets are technically correct, but they are not always technically honest. Manufacturers choose which numbers to highlight, what test conditions to use, and which scenarios make their equipment look strongest. If you do not know how to read between
those numbers, you can easily choose a screw chiller that performs well on paper but poorly in your building. This guide breaks down the numbers that actually matter and the ones that often hide the real story.
Why Air Cooled Chiller Datasheets Are So Misleading Air Cooled Chillers operate under constantly Outdoor temperature Building load Part load operation dominates real life.
changing
conditions. shifts. changes.
But most datasheets show only one or two perfect lab conditions. That is where marketing lives. What buyers really need is how the machine behaves over time, not at one flattering operating point. Let’s decode the most misunderstood metrics.
COP vs EER: The First Trap You will always see COP or EER at the top of a datasheet. COP stands for EER stands for Energy Efficiency Ratio.
Coefficient
of
Performance.
Both describe how much cooling you get for every unit of electricity consumed. The They are measured at a single fixed condition.
trick?
For Air Cooled Chillers, that condition is often around 35°C outdoor temperature with 7°C chilled water. Some manufacturers choose cooler ambient conditions to inflate numbers. So a high COP does not mean high It means high efficiency at one carefully chosen moment. Sales teams should always tell COP and EER show peak potential, not real life performance.
efficiency
buyers
all
year.
this
IPLV: The Number That Actually Predicts Energy Bills IPLV stands for Integrated Part Load Value. This is the most important efficiency number for Air Cooled Chillers. Why? Because chillers run at part load most of the time. IPLV measures performance across multiple load conditions and temperatures. It reflects how the unit behaves at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% capacity. A chiller with slightly lower COP but much higher IPLV will almost always consume less electricity over a year. If a datasheet highlights COP but hides IPLV, that is a red flag.
Cooling Capacity: Not All kW Are Equal Two chillers may both say 1000 kW. But that number only applies at a specific ambient temperature. As outdoor temperature rises, the cooling capacity of Air Cooled Chillers drops. This is called derating. Some datasheets quietly hide this in footnotes. Smart What is What is it at 45°C?
the
buyers capacity
ask 40°C?
at
In hot climates, this matters more than the nameplate capacity.
Sound Levels: A Game of Distance and Direction Screw Chiller sound ratings are another classic marketing trick. Sound is Distance Direction Reflection Operating load
measured
in
decibels,
but
also
depends
on
One datasheet may show Another may show 72 dB at 1 meter.
70
dB
at
10
meters.
The first looks quieter but is actually much louder. When comparing Air Cooled Chillers, always normalize sound levels to the same distance and condition. Also ask whether the value is for full load or part load. Low sound at partial load is meaningless if the unit is loud at peak.
Airflow and Fan Power High airflow is not always good. More airflow It can also mean more noise.
means
more
fan
energy.
What matters is how efficiently heat is rejected. A well designed condenser can achieve the same cooling with less airflow. When datasheets show high airflow without fan power numbers, you are missing half the picture. Efficient Air Cooled Chillers balance airflow, coil design, and fan speed.
Refrigerant and Operating Envelope Datasheets often hide refrigerant limitations. Some refrigerants lose efficiency or capacity in high ambient conditions. Ask What is the Is the capacity guaranteed at that temperature?
maximum
ambient?
A screw chiller that cannot hold performance during heat waves is not a reliable cooling system.
Why This Matters for Long Term Costs Air Cooled screw Chillers are long term assets. A small difference in IPLV can mean thousands of units of electricity every year.
A small difference in derating can mean undersized systems in summer. A small difference in sound can mean unhappy neighbors and expensive enclosures. Datasheets are not They are financial forecasts in disguise.
just
spec
sheets.
Final Thought Reading a screw chiller datasheet is not about finding the biggest number. It is about finding the most honest numbers. Air Cooled Chillers live in the real world, not in lab conditions. The more a datasheet reflects real operating behavior, the better the machine will perform in your building. Sales teams that They sell confidence.
understand
this
do
not
sell
equipment.
And in cooling, confidence comes from numbers that tell the truth. Climaveneta designs Air Cooled Chillers with performance data that reflects real operating conditions, not just lab results. That means buyers get systems sized for true load, real climates, and long term efficiency rather than marketing numbers.
