MEP Engineering · Engineering Glossary
A chilled water system is a central HVAC cooling approach in which a chiller plant produces chilled water (typically 44–45°F supply) that is pumped to air handling units and fan coil units throughout the building to absorb heat from the space. Chilled water systems are common in large commercial, institutional, and campus facilities.
The chilled water system consists of the chiller (which removes heat from the water using a refrigeration cycle), the chilled water pump, the distribution piping, and the cooling coils in the air handling units or fan coil units. A companion condenser water system (cooling tower + condenser water pumps) rejects the heat from the chiller to the outdoor air. Chilled water systems offer energy efficiency advantages for large buildings and provide a centralized maintenance point. The mechanical engineer sizes the chiller, cooling coils, and pumping system using building cooling loads and system design temperatures. Apex Grid engineers chilled water systems for hospitals, universities, large office buildings, and government facilities.
Apex Grid Engineering maintains this glossary as a resource for architects, contractors, developers, and property owners who encounter unfamiliar engineering terminology on their projects.
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