No.3 Patricia Atswei Link, East Legon
A chiller is a machine that removes heat from a liquid, typically water, which is then circulated through a building to provide cooling. In commercial HVAC systems, chillers are often located in a mechanical room or outside the building and are crucial for large-scale cooling operations.
The chiller cools water by removing heat using a refrigeration cycle.
This chilled water is sent to AHUs or fan coil units within the building.
These units use the cold water to cool the air before distributing it through the ductwork.
There are two main types of chillers:
Air-cooled chillers (use air to expel heat)
Water-cooled chillers (use water and a cooling tower for heat rejection)
An air handling unit is a device used to regulate and circulate air as part of an HVAC system. AHUs are typically installed indoors (in a mechanical room) and connected to the ductwork of the building.
The AHU receives chilled water from the chiller.
Air passes over the cooling coil filled with the chilled water.
The cooled air is then distributed throughout the building via ducts.
AHUs may also include filters, heating coils, humidifiers, and dampers for complete air treatment.
A rooftop unit is a packaged HVAC system installed on the roof of a building. Unlike chillers and AHUs, which are often part of larger centralized systems, RTUs are self-contained units that can provide both heating and cooling.
RTUs draw in outdoor air and condition it (cool or heat).
The air is filtered and treated within the unit.
Conditioned air is then distributed through the building's ductwork.
RTUs are commonly used for medium-sized commercial buildings due to their ease of installation and maintenance.
| Component | Primary Role | Location | Cooling Method | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chiller | Produces chilled water | Mechanical room or outdoors | Uses refrigeration cycle | Large buildings and campuses |
| AHU | Distributes conditioned air | Indoors (mechanical rooms) | Uses chilled water from chiller | Large buildings |
| RTU | Self-contained heating and cooling | Rooftop | Direct air conditioning | Medium-sized commercial spaces |
In larger HVAC systems, chillers produce chilled water, which is sent to AHUs to cool air. The AHUs then distribute the cooled air throughout the building. On the other hand, RTUs are often used in spaces where installing separate chillers and AHUs would be less efficient or cost-effective.
At Kawayeski Cooling, we design and install HVAC solutions tailored to your building’s needs. Whether your commercial property requires a centralized chiller system or rooftop units, our team is here to ensure maximum efficiency, comfort, and performance.
Get in touch today to learn more about how we can upgrade or maintain your commercial HVAC system in Ghana.
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