Choosing a chiller seems complicated.
There are 100 different brands on the market.
Some of the marketing is outstanding.
Every company is advertising “commercial grade.”
And just about every chiller is advertised to be as powerful as Godzilla and King Kong combined.
But how do you actually choose?
Three questions will tell you everything you need to know.
Question 1: Is it in a commercial facility?
If yes, write off everything that has wheels and everything that sits in the same room as your ice baths.
Buying these is the same as buying portable air conditioners for every room in your business and having them drumming away in the corners.
If it looks like home equipment, it is home equipment - regardless of what the marketing says.
Question 2: Will there be volume through the pools?
If you have more than 10 people per day through your pools, you need something that can handle real heat load.
Look for a chiller that has proven itself in actual commercial facilities with similar usage to yours.
Ask for them to show you the data from the facility where it hits temp and holds it under load.
And adding to this - make sure it’s at the temp you’re looking for.
A chiller that can hit 12 degrees is completely different to one that can hit 8 or below.
Question 3: Does the space already have a commercial ventilation system? Or exiting water pipe runs outside?
This is a massive one overlooked by most recovery room owners.
The volume of heat and air a proper commercial will push out is way higher than you think.
That air has to go somewhere, and it can’t be inside your facility (although I have seen some recent installs where they have done this - madness!)
This means you have to have a commercial extraction system ($20,000-$30,000 or more)
And if you have to have the water pipes run all the way outside, a massive risk of water damage and insurance problems.
If you already have this setup and are replacing an older chiller, then it might be worth going a normal all in one unit.
If you don’t, you will be able to go with a split system design for cheaper than you could get the ventilation system.
Follow these three steps and you’ll be able to make a much more informed decision on which chiller is right for you.
You’ll skip a lot of problems and a lot of headaches
And as always, if you have any questions, reach out and ask.