Cut Operational Costs with Targeted Water Treatment Programs

Operating and maintenance (O&M) managers confront tighter budgets and the need to extend the life of aging capital equipment. Cutting critical maintenance can trigger operational inefficiencies, so a strategic approach to water treatment becomes essential.

Energy is one of the largest line items in facility budgets. Chill‑cooling systems often consume up to 50 % of a plant’s electricity. By implementing a robust water treatment program, you can keep condenser tubes and cooling‑tower components clean, improve heat transfer, and dramatically reduce both energy and utility costs.

Six Questions to Diagnose and Maximize Chiller Performance Through Water Treatment

1. What operating inefficiencies are hidden in your chillers? Many facilities assume a chiller is fine if the space stays cool. Yet factors like incorrect flow rates, mis‑set temperature points, fouled condensers, and degraded tower fill can silently inflate energy use.
2. Where do those inefficiencies lie? Heat‑transfer surfaces are the single biggest driver of efficiency. Regularly monitoring temperature, pressure, flow, and fluid levels, and using software‑based efficiency analytics, lets you pinpoint fouling, deposition, or corrosion before they become costly.
3. Are you tracking utility usage? A well‑designed treatment plan controls water consumption, maximizes concentration cycles, and cuts make‑up and blowdown volumes. In regions with sewer fees tied to water delivery, this can translate into significant savings.
4. How effective is your current treatment program? The cornerstone of success is keeping the system clean. Corrosion, mineral buildup, and microbiological fouling all erode heat‑transfer efficiency. Rapid response to trend data keeps chillers running at peak performance.
5. How do you troubleshoot and refine your program? Start with a full assessment of your cooling loop. Consistent measurement of key parameters, expert analysis of test results, routine tower inspections, and periodic corrosion‑coupon tests are the hallmarks of a proactive program that prevents costly failures.
6. How can you document real cost and energy savings? Inefficient operation drives higher electricity, water, and sewer bills, and forces extra maintenance and labor. Tracking baseline performance against post‑treatment metrics demonstrates tangible ROI.

Cost Savings and Peak Performance in Any Economic Climate
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, inefficient chiller operation can add up to 30 % in electricity and water costs. By asking the right questions and refining your water treatment strategy, you can slash operating expenses and secure a competitive edge, especially when every dollar counts.

About the Author
Fred Potthoff is co‑founder of Kroff Chemical, an industry leader in custom industrial and commercial water treatment solutions. He is an active member of the Building Owners and Managers Association, the Association for Iron and Steel Technology, and the National Association of Power Engineers. Learn more at www.kroff.com.