Compressor Basics

Compressors are often thought of as the heart of an HVAC system. YORK® chillers use a variety of compressor types designed to meet the unique demands of each project.

Compressor Basics
Compressors are the most critical component in a heating and cooling system. The compressor sets the overall performance by establishing the limit of the thermodynamic efficiency. They also account for the most energy consumption of a system and impact efficiency.

Because of their critical function, compressors represent 25-40% of total system costs and play a role in determining the value range of the entire system.

Types of Chiller Compressors
Compressors used in YORK® Chillers include centrifugal, screw and scroll.

Centrifugal Compressors

Centrifugal compressors rely on centrifugal force to compress refrigerant vapor. These are ideal for complex projects with medium to large cooling loads, such as hospitals, universities or naval ships.

Screw Compressors

Screw compressors, also known as rotary compressors, move refrigerant from low pressure to high pressure via two rotors, or screws, that trap and compress gas in a compressor casing. Screw compressors are ideal for medium-load cooling projects, such as multistory office buildings and facilities with critical temperature requirements such as surgical centers.

Scroll Compressors

Scroll compressors use one orbiting and one fixed scroll to provide continuous compression of the refrigerant. Scroll compressors can be used in a variety of applications, such as office buildings, hotels, schools or clinics.

Learn More About Compressors
Watch this video to learn more about the different compressor types used in YORK® equipment and YORK® chiller products.