October 3, 2025
Chiller Repair Signs
Top Signs Your Chiller System Needs Repair
If your chiller isn’t right, the first clues show up in data and comfort long before the system fails. Smart facilities in Seattle watch trend logs, energy bills, supply/return temps, and alarm histories to spot trouble early. Here’s how to recognize the signs and schedule service at the right time.
Early warning signs of chiller trouble
- Rising energy consumption: kWh per ton climbing week over week points to fouled tubes, poor condenser airflow, or incorrect charge.
- Poor cooling capacity: Supply water temperature misses setpoint or takes too long to pull down on startup.
- Frequent short-cycling: Controls or load issues cause compressor starts to spike, accelerating wear.
- Unusual noises or vibration: Bearings, cavitation, or refrigerant flow issues.
- Alarms and trips: High head pressure, low suction, oil level, or flow switches should never be ignored.
Common root causes in Seattle buildings
- Dirty condenser coils or clogged cooling towers from pollen and urban dust
- Water-side scaling due to untreated or poorly treated loops
- Economizer or VFD control problems after winter shoulder seasons
- Refrigerant leaks, non-condensables, or sensor drift
What your tech should check
- Tubing cleanliness, approach temps, superheat/subcool readings
- Condenser airflow, fan operation, coil condition
- Flow rates, delta-T, pump performance, strainer condition
- Controls tuning, safeties, and alarm history
Seattle-specific maintenance tips
- Schedule coil and tower cleanings before summer heat waves.
- Verify economizer operation after the rainy season to prevent false readings.
- Log energy use monthly and flag deviations early.
Helpful Resources: ASHRAE Standards for HVAC Systems | Energy.gov – Energy Efficiency | EPA – Indoor Air Quality
CUSTOMER GOOGLE REVIEWS
Five Star Mechanical
7509 Grange St W, Lakewood
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Debbie and Sherina are amazing. Our company refrigerator went out during the extreme 100+ temperatures and I was no showed twice by another company. After calling Five Star Mechanical they have gone above and beyond to make sure we were … More serviced. Their customer service is phenomenal. Bryan, the tech, was also very helpful. I will be a returning customer and recommending them to others!
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Saltwater Church suddenly lost heat in their office building on a Friday. The dispatcher was knowledgeable, professional, and efficient. Caleb came out within about an hour of our call, diagnosed the problem, and got the system up and … More running. He gave us the option of replacing the part that had shorted out, or seeing if the system could work adequately without it. We asked him to locate the part and give us a quote. We got the quote just 2 days later. We are very impressed and will use Five Star again!
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I had an emergency situation with my water chiller this morning and I work in aerospace chemical processing. So our Water Chiller is a key instrument to our processes. Without it we would be dead in the water. I made a call at 5am and the … More customer service was OUTSTANDING! Service tech was promptly here and ready to go. Service Tech diagnosed the problem explained the problem in words everyone could understand.I also received a prompt quote via email from the service manager. 5 Stars knowledge and technicians expertise is 5 STARS all the way. Thank you to Jason & Chuck!
Frequently Asked Questions
Dirty coils and incorrect refrigerant charge.
Not completely, but proactive service reduces risk dramatically.
At least yearly; higher for dusty or pollen-heavy locations.
kWh per ton, supply/return temps, compressor starts, alarms.
Yes, plus pumps, towers, and controls.
Yes. Call (253) 852-8284.
Yes, with prioritized fixes.
Yes, including VFDs and economizers.
Absolutely. Scaling wrecks efficiency and reliability.
Yes, we scope upgrades when they pay back.
Resources:
- Commercial Appliance Repair Seattle
- Commercial Heating Repair Installation and Service
- HVAC Preventive Maintenance Seattle
- HVAC Repair & Installation in Auburn, WA