What Is a Water Chiller? How Does a Water Chiller Work?

What is a water chiller? Cold plunge often uses a type of refrigeration equipment, which is a water chiller. Today, COLDCHILLER will take you to learn about the water chiller for cold plunge. Read on to learn about the main components and working principles of a water chiller.

What Is a Water Chiller? Definition and Core Functionality

A water chiller is a device that cools water. Water chillers are often used in industry. For example, industrial metal and machinery manufacturing uses water chillers to reduce deformation and determine accuracy. Water chillers are often used in plastic manufacturing to help plastics cool and set.
However, water chillers are not only used in industry. Many athletes and fitness enthusiasts often use water chillers to quickly cool water and experience the benefits of cold water immersion. Rehabilitation centers also use water chillers to help people recover. Today we are talking about this kind of equipment used for ice baths.

Key Components of a High-Quality Water Chiller for Cold Plunge

The main components of a water chiller are a compressor, evaporator, refrigerant, water pump, etc. The normal operation of the water chiller is inseparable from them.

Compressor

The compressor is the main component of the water chiller. The function of the compressor is to compress the refrigerant to increase its pressure and temperature so that the refrigerant can circulate in the refrigeration system. Simply put, the core function of the compressor is to increase the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant.

Refrigerant

Refrigerant, also known as snow seed. Refrigerant is an important medium for realizing circulating cooling in refrigeration equipment. Common refrigerants are R410A, R32, and R290. These media are all environmentally friendly media.
©Photo by Danfoss

Condenser

The main function of the water cooling condenser is to convert high-temperature and high-pressure gas into high-pressure liquid. Mainly through water circulation and heat exchange functions.

Evaporator

As the name suggests, evaporation refers to the conversion of liquid into gas. The role of the evaporator in the refrigerator is to convert low-temperature condensed liquid into liquid, and in this process, it will absorb heat to achieve the cooling effect.

Water Pump for Cold Plunge

The role of the water pump for cold plunge is mainly used for cooling water circulation. The existence of the cold plunge pump can effectively conduct water flow and facilitate cooling water circulation.
©Photo by Pump Supplies

How Does a Water Chiller Work?

The working principle of the chiller mainly goes through four core stages: evaporation, compression, condensation, and throttling, and it circulates continuously, removing heat in the process.

©Photo by Instrumentation Tools
Evaporation: The low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator and becomes a low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant.
Compression: The low-temperature and low-pressure gaseous refrigerant is absorbed by the compressor and compressed into a high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant.
Condensation: At this time, the gaseous refrigerant enters the condenser. Through the condenser, the refrigerant is condensed into liquid.
Throttling: The liquid refrigerant will then enter an expansion valve or capillary tube. After the liquid refrigerant enters the expansion valve or capillary tube, the pressure of the refrigerant will be limited and the temperature will drop. At this time, the refrigerant has become the initial low-temperature and low-pressure liquid state.

At this time, a cycle has been completed, and the low-temperature and low-pressure liquid refrigerant will re-enter the evaporator for the next cycle.

Comparing Water Chillers vs. Ice Baths

As technology has evolved, modern water chillers have emerged. Today we will discuss modern water chillers and traditional ice baths together.

Operation

Compared to traditional ice baths, modern water chillers are more efficient and convenient. Modern water chillers eliminate the tedious operation of manually adding ice to traditional ice baths. You can experience cold water immersion by simply clicking on the control panel.

Temperature Control

Traditional ice baths require the use of a thermometer to get a more accurate temperature. Modern water chillers can provide more precise temperature control and can maintain a constant temperature during cold water immersion.

Cost

The initial cost of a traditional ice bath is not high, only the cost of purchasing ice cubes. In contrast, purchasing a chiller costs about $500. In the short term, traditional ice baths are more affordable, but if you need to use them for a long time, it is not very cost-effective to use ice cubes every time you take a cold water immersion.

Maintenance of Chiller

To extend the life of the water chiller for ice bath, it is necessary to perform routine maintenance of the chiller. The routine maintenance plan includes:
Cleaning: Keep the refrigerator unit and the surrounding environment clean and tidy to maintain better performance of the refrigerator.
Clean the condenser: Dirt in the pipes will hinder the heat transfer efficiency, so it needs to be cleaned once a quarter or once a year.
Test the water quality: Water quality problems will cause scaling, corrosion and other problems, affecting the normal use of the refrigerator. Using chemicals can optimize water quality and reduce pH.
Clean or replace the filter: Clean the water chiller filter regularly and replace the filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Check the electrical components: Check whether the electrical components are loose and worn. Tighten the loose parts and replace the damaged parts to ensure the normal use of the water chiller for cold plunge.
To further ensure the normal use of the cold plunge chiller, you can hire a professional to check it once every six months or once a year. Click the link to learn about the detailed refrigerator maintenance guide.

Why COLDCHILLER Water Chillers Are the Best Choice for Your Business

Choose to buy COLDCHILLER’s water chillers, COLDCHILLER will not disappoint your expectations.

Quality Assurance

COLDCHILLER’s water chillers for cold plunge are made through multiple rigorous processes, and all chillers are strictly quality tested. In addition, our refrigerators have electrical certificates from different countries, including SAA from Australia, PSE from Japan, CE and Rohs from the European Union, and ETL from North America.

Whether it is for personal use, or for use by hotels, gyms, spas, or sports teams, there is quality assurance.

Customization Service

Aimed at making our products better meet your needs, we provide you with customization services. You can customize the color, appearance, and size of the product. In addition, you can also customize your hotel or gym logo on the water chillers to enhance your brand awareness.

High-Quality After-Sales Service

COLDCHILLER’s after-sales service will never disappoint you. If you encounter problems with the installation and failure of the refrigerator, we will have dedicated technicians to provide you with technical services, and there are video tutorials to help you solve the problem. After receiving the goods, it was found that the refrigerator was damaged. Don’t worry, we will do our best to solve the problem for you.
If you buy our refrigerator, then congratulations, you also get a warranty period of up to one year.

Convenient and efficient chillers are loved by many cold water immersion enthusiasts. I believe you have fully understood the chiller after reading the above. If you want to know more about the manufacturing process of chillers and the maintenance guide of commercial chillers, click the link to view.
Still looking for a best water chiller for cold plunge? COLDCHILLER will provide you with a series of cold plunge chillers, as well as professional ice bath tub equipment to maximize your cold water immersion effect.