Chiller
A Chiller is a large cooling system used in commercial and industrial buildings to keep spaces comfortable. Think of it as a giant air conditioner that cools water instead of air directly. This cooled water then circulates through the building to provide air conditioning. Technicians work with chillers to install, maintain, repair, and optimize these systems. They're especially important in places like office buildings, hospitals, and manufacturing facilities where consistent cooling is critical. Similar systems include cooling towers and air handlers, which often work together as part of a building's complete cooling system.
Examples in Resumes
Performed preventive maintenance on 500-ton Chiller systems for commercial buildings
Led Chiller replacement projects resulting in 30% energy savings
Diagnosed and repaired Chillers and Chiller components for industrial clients
Typical job title: "Chiller Technicians"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Chiller Technicians
Professional Organizations
Online Forums
Job Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you approach troubleshooting a chiller that's not maintaining proper temperature?
Expected Answer: A senior technician should describe a systematic approach: checking water flow, refrigerant levels, electrical systems, and controls. They should mention using diagnostic tools and past maintenance records to identify issues.
Q: How would you plan a large chiller replacement project?
Expected Answer: Should discuss assessment of current system, coordination with building management, scheduling around tenant needs, safety protocols, and managing a team of technicians.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What regular maintenance tasks are essential for chiller systems?
Expected Answer: Should describe cleaning condenser tubes, checking refrigerant levels, testing water quality, inspecting electrical connections, and maintaining proper oil levels.
Q: How do you ensure energy efficiency in chiller operations?
Expected Answer: Should discuss monitoring performance metrics, adjusting settings based on load requirements, ensuring proper maintenance, and identifying opportunities for optimization.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What safety procedures do you follow when working on chillers?
Expected Answer: Should mention proper lockout/tagout procedures, wearing appropriate PPE, following electrical safety guidelines, and proper handling of refrigerants.
Q: Can you explain the basic operation of a chiller system?
Expected Answer: Should be able to describe how the system uses refrigerant to cool water, basic components like evaporator and condenser, and how cooled water circulates through a building.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic maintenance procedures
- Safety protocols
- Reading system gauges
- Assist in basic repairs
Mid (2-5 years)
- Independent troubleshooting
- Preventive maintenance planning
- Basic system optimization
- Reading technical drawings
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex system diagnosis
- Project management
- Energy efficiency optimization
- Team leadership
Red Flags to Watch For
- No certification or formal HVAC training
- Lack of hands-on experience with commercial cooling systems
- Poor understanding of safety protocols
- No experience with building automation systems
