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Plant Engineering Calculator

Updated Sep 17, 2026

Chiller Load Profile Energy Calculator — Bin kWh, Weighted kW/Ton & Cost

Calculate annual chiller energy and load-weighted efficiency from up to four operating bins with load fraction, hours and kW/ton.

Live calculationWorking shownPrivate in browser

Inputs

Results

Annual chiller energy 736250 kWh
Annual ton-hours 1337500 ton-h
Weighted efficiency 0.550 kW/TR
Annual energy cost $73625
More actions

Shared links reopen these inputs. Recent and saved calculations stay in this browser unless you clear site data.

Formula

E=Σ(capacity×load fraction×kW/ton×hours); weighted kW/ton=E/Σ(ton-hours).

Your calculation, step by step

These steps use the values currently entered above so the result can be checked independently.

  1. 1.Bin 1: 500 TR × 1.00 × 0.620 kW/TR × 500 h = 155000 kWh.
  2. 2.Bin 2: 500 TR × 0.75 × 0.550 kW/TR × 1200 h = 247500 kWh.
  3. 3.Bin 3: 500 TR × 0.50 × 0.500 kW/TR × 1800 h = 225000 kWh.
  4. 4.Bin 4: 500 TR × 0.25 × 0.580 kW/TR × 1500 h = 108750 kWh.
  5. 5.Annual compressor energy = sum of bins = 736250 kWh. Pump and tower energy are intentionally excluded.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter measured or design values using the units shown beside each field.
  2. Review the live results and the substituted calculation steps before using the estimate.
  3. Check the assumptions below, then continue to a related calculator when the next engineering decision needs another model.

Worked example

A 500-ton chiller can be modeled across four load bins instead of assuming one full-load efficiency for every hour.

Assumptions and limits

  • Entered bin efficiencies should correspond to the same condenser/chilled-water conditions represented by each bin.
  • This models chiller compressor energy; add pumps and tower fans for whole-plant energy.

How to interpret the result

Treat the primary result as an engineering screening value, then use the secondary outputs to understand scale, energy or operating impact. Confirm site measurements, equipment limits and applicable standards before making a design or control change.

Questions engineers ask

Why use load bins instead of full-load kW/ton for annual energy?

Chillers spend substantial time away from design load. Bin calculations weight each operating load and efficiency by its hours, producing a more representative annual-energy estimate.

What does weighted kW/ton mean?

It is total modeled chiller energy divided by total modeled ton-hours. It summarizes the entered operating profile rather than reporting one design-point efficiency.

Does this represent whole chiller-plant energy?

Not by itself. The calculation models chiller compressor energy from the entered bins. Add chilled-water pumps, condenser-water pumps, cooling-tower fans and other auxiliaries for plant-level performance.

Continue the calculation

Use the next calculator in the same engineering workflow instead of restarting from search.

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Methodology. MAXScanner shows the governing formula, entered values and calculation outputs so the estimate is auditable. The calculator is a screening aid; assumptions and equipment-specific limits remain part of the engineering review.