Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-05-13 Origin: Site
Chilled Water AHU for Large Scale: For large factories with multiple zones, a chilled water system is typically more energy-efficient. The central chiller plant allows for high-efficiency strategies like variable-speed pumping, thermal storage, and "free cooling" (using outside air to cool water in winter). The centralized load balancing results in a higher Coefficient of Performance (COP) at scale .
DX AHU for Small Scale (Part-Load): A DX system is often more efficient for smaller factories or intermittent use due to the direct transfer of heat. However, efficiency drops significantly during part-load conditions. If you run multiple DX units at partial capacity, the overall efficiency cannot match a single large chiller .
Feature | Chilled Water (CW) AHU | Direct Expansion (DX) AHU |
|---|---|---|
Cooling Medium | Chilled water circulated from a central chiller plant . | Liquid refrigerant that expands and evaporates directly in the coil . |
Core Components | Cooling coil, supply fan, filters, modulating water valve, piping loop . | Evaporator coil, built-in compressor, condenser, expansion valve, refrigerant lines . |
System Architecture | Decentralized: One central chiller serves multiple AHUs across a facility . | Packaged or split: Cooling is built into the unit or provided by a dedicated condensing unit . |
