Chiller Maintenance & Care: An Essential Checklist for Engineers
Chiller Maintenance & Care: An Essential Checklist for Engineers（Key Strategies to Improve Efficiency and Extend Equipment Lifespan）
🎯 Why Is Chiller Maintenance and Care So Important?
For industrial processes that rely on precise temperature control, chillers play a critical role in ensuring stable and continuous production.
However, even the highest-quality chiller will experience performance degradation over time if proper and regular maintenance is neglected.
This can result in increased energy consumption, accelerated component wear, and ultimately a reduced overall service life.
To maintain optimal performance and extend equipment lifespan, routine maintenance must be treated as a top priority.
This article provides an essential maintenance checklist for engineers,
covering tasks that users can perform independently as well as guidance on when professional service support is required
Helping ensure your chiller consistently operates at peak condition.
🛠️ Key Preparations Before Maintenance and Service
Improper handling may cause serious damage to the chiller and could even result in safety incidents.
Before performing any maintenance or service work, be sure to follow the safety precautions below:
1️⃣ Follow Safety Regulations：
All operations must strictly comply with company safety guidelines and the equipment’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
2️⃣ Completely Disconnect Power：
Before any inspection or maintenance work, ensure that all main power supplies are shut off and cannot be accidentally re-energized (Lockout/Tagout).
3️⃣ Qualified Personnel Only：
All maintenance tasks must be performed by trained personnel who fully understand the chiller’s structure and maintenance procedures.
📅 Daily Maintenance Checklist
Daily routine inspections are the first line of defense in ensuring stable chiller operation and preventing minor issues from escalating into major failures.
1️⃣ Environmental Safety Check：
Inspect the area around the unit to ensure no hazardous materials or debris are present. Maintain adequate ventilation and heat dissipation space.
2️⃣ Coolant Level Check：
Verify that the coolant level in the internal oil tank or water tank is sufficient. Low levels may cause pump dry running or reduced cooling performance.
3️⃣ Piping Flow Check：
Inspect all connected piping to ensure there are no obvious bends, blockages, or abnormal pressure conditions.
🗓️ Weekly Maintenance Checklist
A more detailed visual inspection should be performed weekly, particularly to identify potential leakage issues.
1️⃣ Leak Inspection：
Thoroughly inspect internal components, pipe connections, and pump areas for any signs of water or oil leakage.
If leakage is detected, the root cause must be identified and repaired immediately.
🗓️ Monthly Maintenance Checklist: Deep Cleaning and System Inspection
Monthly in-depth maintenance is critical to maintaining cooling efficiency and overall system health.
1️⃣ Air Filter and Condenser Cleaning (Key to Heat Dissipation)
✔️ Inspection：
Check the air filter (if applicable) and condenser fins for dust or dirt accumulation.
✔️ Cleaning：
Clean the air filter using compressed air or clean water.
For the condenser, gently blow compressed air along the fin direction to remove dust buildup and ensure optimal heat exchange efficiency.
2️⃣ Electrical System Inspection：
Check motor operation for abnormal noise or overheating, and ensure all wire connections and terminal screws are securely tightened to prevent poor contact or short circuits.
3️⃣ Mechanical Components and Piping Inspection.
4️⃣ Clean accumulated dust and dirt inside the chiller.
5️⃣ Ensure all components, screws, and hose clamps are secure and free from looseness.
6️⃣ Inspect components that may leak lubricating oil and eliminate any potential leakage sources.
7️⃣ Refrigerant Circuit Inspection (Chiller-Specific)：
Check the refrigerant circuit for oil residue, as leaks often leave oil-like traces.
If any signs of refrigerant leakage are detected, contact qualified service personnel immediately.
8️⃣ Coolant Replacement：
Replace coolant (such as water, treated coolant, or circulation oil) at regular intervals according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to maintain cleanliness and corrosion/algae protection.
⛔ Precautions for Long-Term Shutdown (Storage Procedures)
If the chiller is to be shut down or stored for an extended period, proper storage procedures are essential to protect the equipment:
1️⃣ Drain All Internal Fluids：
Completely drain all coolant to prevent corrosion or bacterial growth during long-term inactivity.
2️⃣ Store in a Clean Environment：
Place the unit in a clean area away from dust.
3️⃣ Dust Protection：
Cover the chiller with plastic sheeting or a dust cover to prevent dust, moisture, or insects from entering the unit.
4️⃣ Stable and Safe Placement：
Store the chiller on a flat, dry, and well-ventilated surface.
5️⃣ Wheel Locking：
If the unit is equipped with casters, ensure the wheels are securely locked to prevent unintended movement.
✅ Extend Equipment Lifespan and Maintain Sustainable Performance
Regular chiller maintenance is not optional—it is essential for extending equipment lifespan and maintaining cooling performance.
By following the daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance checklists outlined above,
you can significantly reduce the risk of unexpected failures and ensure stable, efficient production operations.
📩 Contact US📩
KAUKAN has extensive experience in chiller maintenance and a team of professional service technicians.
If you encounter any challenges during routine maintenance, or require comprehensive annual servicing,
troubleshooting, or refrigerant system inspection, please feel free to contact us at any time.
Let us be your trusted partner in ensuring reliable and stable equipment operation.
