Winter Maintenance Tips: Keep Your Chiller Running Smoothly All Season

By John McCoy, Technical Support Manager

As temperatures drop, your cooling system still plays a vital role—especially for process applications that require consistent performance year-round. At G&D Chillers, we understand that winter can be tough on chillers if proper maintenance steps aren’t taken. Preventing freeze damage, corrosion, and inefficiency now can save costly repairs and downtime later.

Here are our top winter maintenance tips to keep your chiller running smoothly all season long.

1. Inspect and Protect Against Freezing

Even when ambient temperatures fall, residual water inside a chiller can freeze and expand, causing damage to pipes, evaporators, and heat exchangers.

Best Practices:

• Drain and flush unused chillers before extended shutdowns.
• Use a glycol-water mixture suited for your region’s lowest temperatures.
• Insulate exposed piping and components to minimize heat loss.

A simple inspection before the first freeze can prevent expensive mid-winter breakdowns.

2. Check Glycol Concentration and Quality

If your chiller operates during the winter, glycol concentration is crucial. Too much glycol can reduce efficiency, while too little can cause freezing.

Pro Tip: Test your glycol concentration and adjust it according to manufacturer guidelines—typically between 35–40%. Replace degraded glycol, as contamination can lead to corrosion or fouling within the cooling loop.

3. Maintain Proper Fluid Flow

Cold weather can change fluid viscosity, reducing flow and overall system performance.

Keep things moving by:

• Inspecting pumps, valves, and strainers for blockages or wear.
• Monitoring flow rates and pressure drops—sudden changes can indicate developing issues.
• Gradually warming up your chiller before resuming full operation after long idle periods.

4. Monitor Electrical Components

Cold weather can stress electrical systems, especially if your chiller is installed outdoors.

Checklist:

• Inspect control panels and wiring for moisture intrusion or corrosion.
• Ensure heaters in control boxes or compressors are operational.
• Test safety devices, sensors, and control settings for accuracy.

Routine checks keep your electrical systems reliable even in freezing temperatures.

5. Keep Condensers and Coils Clean

Winter debris such as leaves, dirt, and ice can restrict airflow, forcing your chiller to work harder.

Maintenance Tips:

• Clean air-cooled condensers and verify that fan motors are free of ice buildup.
• Maintain clear airflow around outdoor units by removing obstructions.

This simple step goes a long way in maintaining energy efficiency and preventing system strain.

6. Schedule Preventive Maintenance with G&D Chillers

Proactive maintenance is your best defense against winter downtime. A seasonal service inspection from G&D Chillers or an authorized technician ensures your system is optimized for cold weather operation. Our technicians check everything from refrigerant levels to control calibration—so you can focus on your business with confidence.

Final Thoughts

Winter brings unique challenges for any cooling system, but with proper care, your chiller can operate efficiently all year long. Whether you’re running process cooling for breweries, wineries, dairy operations, data centers, or industrial applications, these preventive steps will help protect your investment and maintain consistent performance.

Need help preparing your chiller for winter?
Reach out to the experts at G&D Chillers today for professional service, maintenance plans, and customized cooling solutions that keep your system running at peak performance—no matter how cold it gets.

Contact G&D Chillers: techsupport@gdchillers.com