When a retrofit makes sense
A chiller plant that is 12–15 years old is running on refrigerants and efficiencies that are a generation behind current equipment. Even if it still cools, it is drawing 20–40% more power than a modern equivalent, and its spares are getting harder to find.
The decision to retrofit is driven by energy cost, reliability risk and refrigerant phase-out — not by the unit being “broken.” The best time to plan a retrofit is before a failure forces an emergency replacement at premium rates.
The upgrades that pay back fastest
Variable-speed drives on pumps and fans, a controls upgrade with reset schedules, and sealing the ductwork are usually the quickest paybacks — often under two years. A full chiller replacement has a longer payback but unlocks step-change efficiency and modern low-GWP refrigerants.
We model the expected savings against the installed cost before recommending any retrofit, so the business case is in your hands before you commit.
Do it without losing the building
A retrofit in an occupied tower has to be staged so cooling never drops below what the tenants can tolerate. We plan switchover sequences, temporary cooling and commissioning windows around your occupancy — and hand over before-and-after power readings so the saving is provable.
Want this for your site?
Talk to a Head On Solutions engineer about your HVAC project — fixed pricing, ISHRAE-member crews, written warranty.
