Case Study: Proposal Can Save Money by Using Chillers for Electric Heating

Chillers, traditionally used for cooling, can be repurposed to provide electric heating as part of broader building decarbonisation efforts. This case study focuses on replacing a conventional gas-fired boiler system in an existing New York City building with an electrified solution that combines air-source chiller “heaters,” water-cooled heat pumps and a cooling tower. This article highlights important design considerations such as cooling tower configuration, structural requirements for rooftop equipment and the differences between open and closed-loop tower systems. 

Through energy modelling and system analysis, the study demonstrates that electrified chiller-based systems can reduce overall energy consumption, lower operating costs and significantly cut carbon emissions compared to traditional fossil-fuel systems. Additional upgrades, such as improved building envelope performance and high-efficiency heat pumps, further enhance savings and system performance. The findings illustrate that modular “chiller heater” systems can provide an efficient path to building electrification and also enable facilities to benefit from ongoing grid decarbonisation. 

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