[Insight] A Comprehensive Guide to Renting Water Cooled Chillers

A Comprehensive Guide to Renting Water Cooled Chillers

Are you managing a large manufacturing facility, a data center, or a temporary construction site? No matter your industrial setting, having a reliable cooling solution is essential to maintain smooth operations and protect valuable equipment. In this blog we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about temporary water cooled chiller rentals, including their types, applications, benefits, and key considerations before renting. With the flexibility of chiller hire and chiller rental options available at Aircon Rentals, you can secure the ideal cooling solution for your specific needs.

What is a Water Cooled Chiller?

So what exactly is a water cooled chilled? In technical terms, it’s a mechanical system, designed to remove heat from a process or space by using water as the primary medium for heat exchange. Unlike an air cooled chiller, which relies on air to dissipate the heat, a water cooled chiller uses water-cooled condensers to efficiently remove heat. Imagine a water cooled chiller as a giant air conditioner that uses water to take the heat away. Instead of relying on the air around us, it uses cold water to grab the heat from a room or a machine and carry it away. This means that water cooled chillers are highly effective in environments where ambient temperatures are high or where precision cooling is needed.

Types of Water Cooled Chillers and Their Uses

There’s never going to be a one-size-fits-all when it comes to water cooled chillers, which is why they come in various designs and capacities, each tailored to different cooling requirements. 

Centrifugal Chillers

Let’s kick things off with centrifugal chillers. Think of these as the heavy lifters in the chiller world. They use a powerful centrifugal compressor (basically, a high-speed spinning mechanism) to take on massive cooling jobs. This makes them perfect for huge industrial setups like heavy manufacturing plants and sprawling commercial spaces where a ton of heat needs to be whisked away quickly. If your operation generates a lot of heat and you need a robust solution, centrifugal chillers are your go-to option.

Screw Chillers

Next up are screw chillers—your reliable, hardworking friends in the cooling game. Known for their energy efficiency and steadfast performance, screw chillers are ideal for medium to large industrial applications. They’re the type of equipment that’s built to run consistently over long periods, which means you can count on them to keep your processes cool without any hiccups. So if you’re running a busy production line or managing process cooling, these chillers deliver the performance you need day in and day out.

Scroll Chillers

Last but not least, let’s talk about scroll chillers. These guys are the best space-saving option, especially for when you’re working with smaller facilities or modular setups. Scroll chillers are compact, which means they take up less room, and they’re super quiet—so you won’t have to worry about a noisy work environment. Plus, they consume less energy, making them a smart choice for offices or smaller industrial spaces where efficiency and a quieter operation are top priorities.

Key Considerations Before Renting

Before entering into a rental agreement for a water cooled chiller, several factors should be considered to ensure the equipment meets your specific requirements…

Size and Capacity

Think of it like picking the right pair of shoes—you need the perfect fit. You want a chiller that matches your cooling needs exactly. Go too big, and you’re wasting money on extra capacity you don’t need. Go too small, and it just won’t cut it when the heat kicks in. The key is to figure out exactly how much cooling power your facility requires so that everything runs smoothly without any waste.

Installation Requirements

Before you rent a chiller, take a good look at your available space and current setup. Water cooled chillers aren’t as simple as plugging in your coffee machine; they often come with extra equipment like cooling towers and water treatment systems. Make sure your facility is ready for the whole package.

Maintenance and Support

Nobody wants a surprise breakdown right in the middle of a busy day. That’s why it’s important to consider how much support and maintenance you’ll need during your rental period. Look for rental services that offer a full service package so you’re not left in the lurch if something goes wrong. With a reliable support team, you can keep downtime to a minimum and ensure your chiller is always performing at its best.

Flexibility and Scalability

Your cooling needs might change over time—and that’s completely normal. Choose a rental provider who can adjust to your needs, whether that means scaling up when your business grows or scaling down when things calm down. Companies like us, at Aircon Rentals, are known for offering adaptable rental options, so you can change your plan as your needs evolve.

Choose Aircon Rentals for Your Water Cooled Chiller Needs

Renting a water cooled chiller can be a game-changer for industries that demand reliable, efficient cooling solutions. With options for both short and long-term chiller rental, companies can enjoy the benefits of state-of-the-art cooling without the significant capital expenditure. Aircon Rentals has the expertise and equipment to deliver your operational needs, no matter the application.

Take the next step in optimising your cooling solutions and ensuring smooth operations by reaching out to Aircon Rentals today. With tailored rental options, exceptional service, and industry-leading equipment, your business can stay cool under pressure—no matter the challenge.

You can add these information: 

A Comprehensive Guide to Renting Water-Cooled Chillers

Whether you manage a manufacturing plant, data centre, or temporary construction site, reliable cooling is critical to protect equipment and maintain productivity. This guide covers everything you need to know about short- and long-term water-cooled chiller rentals, including:

• Types of water-cooled chillers and their industrial applications.
• Key benefits over air-cooled systems.
• 5 factors to consider before renting.

What Is a Water-Cooled Chiller?

A water-cooled chiller removes heat from processes or spaces by circulating chilled water through a heat exchanger. Unlike air-cooled chillers (which reject heat to ambient air), these systems use cooling towers or condensers for higher efficiency—especially in high-temperature environments.

How It Works:

1. Refrigerant absorbs heat from process water.
2. Cooling tower water condenses the refrigerant, rejecting heat outdoors.
3. Chilled water (typically 6–12°C) is recirculated to equipment.

Best For:✔ High-heat applications (e.g., plastic molding, pharmaceutical production).
✔ Facilities with stable water supply and space for cooling towers.

3 Types of Water-Cooled Chillers

1. Centrifugal Chillers

• How They Work: Use high-speed impellers to compress refrigerant.
• Pros: Highest efficiency at full load (>0.6 kW/ton); ideal for 200+ ton loads.
• Cons: Poor part-load performance; sensitive to voltage fluctuations.
• Rental Use Case: Large data centers, automotive plants.

2. Screw Chillers

• How They Work: Twin rotors compress refrigerant with minimal vibration.
• Pros: 20–30% more efficient than reciprocating chillers; handle load swings well.
• Rental Use Case: Food processing, HVAC backup during peak demand.

3. Scroll Chillers

• How They Work: Spiral scrolls compress refrigerant quietly.
• Pros: Compact, low maintenance (fewer moving parts).
• Cons: Limited to <100 tons.
• Rental Use Case: Modular offices, small server rooms.

5 Key Considerations Before Renting

1. Correct Sizing

• Too small? Overworked chiller = higher energy bills + premature failure.
• Too large? Short cycling = wasted capacity.
• Solution: Provide your vendor with:
• Process water flow rate (GPM).
• Inlet/outlet temperature requirements.

2. Installation Requirements

Water-cooled systems need:

• Cooling tower space (plan for 1.5x chiller footprint).
• Water treatment (to prevent scaling/corrosion).
• Piping insulation (to avoid condensation).

3. Maintenance & Support

Ask your rental provider:

• Is preventive maintenance included?
• What’s the response time for emergencies?
• Are spare parts readily available?

4. Energy Efficiency

• Look for: Variable-speed drives (VSDs) for screw/centrifugal chillers (up to 35% energy savings).
• Avoid: Oversized units running at 50% load (efficiency drops sharply).

5. Flexibility

• Can the rental be extended or upgraded mid-term?
• Are mobile skid-mounted units available for temporary sites?

Why Choose Aircon Rentals?

We specialize in customized, hassle-free chiller rentals with:

✓ 24/7 AUS-wide support – Guaranteed 4-hour response.

✓ Energy-efficient models – Save up to 40% vs. outdated chillers.

✓ Short- or long-term contracts – Scale up/down as needed.