Major Chiller Replacement for the Metcalf Science Center
Chris Gorman from FMO’s Engineering & Building Systems team lead the efforts to finish replacing two chillers at 712 beacon street last week. These chillers were deferred maintenance replacement of equipment that has exceed their useful life. The HVAC contractor removed two existing air cooled chillers and installed two 200 ton air cooled screw chillers with variable speed compressors. These chillers operate year round to provide cooling to the main building roof top air handling unit, fan coil units throughout the building, and lab equipment.
These chillers are more energy efficient than the system replaced, due to the variable speed fans and compressors as well as the larger internal heat exchangers. Energy code changed the efficiency requirements of the chillers resulting in a larger physical chiller due to the increased size in the more efficient heat transfer. The physical footprint increase of the chiller resulted in additional steel work and relocation of existing mechanical equipment. The chillers were craned into place.