Easy-to-Use Methods for Multi-Chiller Plant Energy and Cost Evaluation

An article published in the December 2009 ASHRAE Journal suggested that a detailed modeling analysis, in lieu of a single-number such as IPLV per AHRI Standard 550/590-2003, should be used to make purchasing decisions for chillers, especially in multi-chiller applications. Detractors claim that an hourly modeling analysis is too cumbersome, whereas IPLV is easy In this paper, a consulting engineer presents examples of an easy-to-use modeling method that is more true-to-lift than IPLV for multi-chiller plant energy evaluations based on life cycle cost, for comparison of chiller purchasing options.