BROAD India
Electric Centrifugal Chillers vs. Vapor Absorption Machines: A 2025 Cost Comparison
Jan 23, 2026
9 min read
Energy & Industrial Efficiency
Electric Centrifugal Chillers vs. Vapor Absorption Machines: A 2025 Cost Comparison
Quick Links: Capital Investment | Operating Costs | Lifecycle Costs | Performance Comparison | Carbon Footprint | Get Guidance
Capital Investment: The Upfront Reality 💰
| System | Equipment / Integration | Installation / Commissioning | Total CAPEX |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 TR Electric Centrifugal Chiller | Equipment: ₹3.5-4.2 cr Cooling tower & auxiliaries: ₹1.3-1.7 cr |
₹0.7-0.9 cr | ₹5.5-6.8 cr |
| 500 TR BROAD Steam VAM Chiller | VAM equipment: ₹3.2-3.8 cr Steam integration & auxiliaries: ₹2.2-2.7 cr |
₹1.0-1.3 cr | ₹6.4-7.8 cr |
CAPEX Verdict: Electric chillers cost 15-20% less upfront, but this is only the first chapter of the cost story.
Operating Costs: Where True Economics Emerge 🔥❄️
Electric Chiller Annual Costs (6,000 hrs, 70% load)
- Electricity: 1.92-2.22 million kWh @ ₹9/kWh = ₹1.73-2.0 cr
- Demand Charges: 950-1,050 kVA = ₹45.6-50.4 lakhs
- Maintenance: Routine ₹8-10 lakhs + Compressor rebuild ₹4-6 lakhs
- Total Annual Cost: ₹2.30-2.66 crores
BROAD Steam VAM Annual Costs (6,000 hrs, 70% load)
- Steam/Fuel: Waste steam → ₹0; dedicated steam → ₹70-90 lakhs
- Auxiliary Electricity: Pumps & controls ₹6-8 lakhs
- Maintenance: ₹6-8 lakhs
- Total Annual Cost: ₹12-106 lakhs (depending on steam source)
Operating Cost Advantage: VAM saves ₹1.60-2.54 crores annually.
Payback with Waste Heat ♻️
When BROAD VAM chillers utilize waste heat from DG set exhaust, process cooling, boiler economizers, or furnace exhaust, fuel cost approaches zero. Incremental CAPEX: ₹1.0-1.5 cr, Annual savings: ₹2.2-2.5 cr → Payback: 5-8 months ⏱️
20-Year Lifecycle Cost Comparison 📊
| System | Initial CAPEX | 20-year OPEX (discounted) | Major Overhauls | Total Lifecycle Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric Centrifugal Chiller | ₹6.0 cr | ₹31.5 cr | ₹2.0 cr (Year 12 rebuild) | ₹39.5 cr |
| BROAD Steam VAM (Waste Heat) | ₹7.0 cr | ₹4.2 cr | ₹1.5 cr | ₹12.7 cr |
Lifecycle Savings: ₹26.8 crores over 20 years ✅
Performance Comparison Beyond Cost ⚡
| Factor | Electric Chiller | BROAD VAM |
|---|---|---|
| COP | 5.0-6.5 | 0.7-1.3 (thermal) |
| Primary Energy | Electricity | Heat (low-grade) |
| Electricity Use | 0.60-0.65 kW/TR | 0.01-0.02 kW/TR |
| Grid Dependency | 100% | Minimal |
| Refrigerant | HFCs (GWP 675-1,430) | Water (GWP 0) |
| Noise Level | 80-90 dB | 60-70 dB |
| Compressor Rebuilds | Every 10-15 yrs | None |
| Uptime | 95-97% | 98-99.5% |
| Operational Life | 15-20 yrs | 20-30 yrs |
Carbon Footprint Analysis 🌱
- 500 TR Electric Chiller: 1.92-2.1 million kWh, 1,722 tons CO₂/year
- 500 TR BROAD VAM (Waste Heat): 45,000 kWh auxiliary, 37 tons CO₂/year
- Carbon Reduction: 98% reduction (~1,685 tons CO₂ annually)
Real-World Applications ✅
- Pharma Plant, Gujarat: 600 TR exhaust-fired VAM, ₹2.35 cr savings, payback 1.8 yrs
- Textile Mill, Tirupur: 500 TR hot water VAM, ₹1.82 cr savings, payback 2.1 yrs
- Data Center, Bangalore: 800 TR steam VAM, PUE 1.68→1.38, ₹3.1 cr savings
⭐ Ready to Compare Electric vs. VAM for Your Facility?
Discover how BROAD VAM can transform waste heat into cooling, cut costs, and reduce carbon footprint.
BROAD Air Conditioning India Pvt. Ltd. (BROAD India) is a subsidiary of BROAD Group.
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