Overview of …
2.5 Pump Energy Consumption
This part of the Energy Efficiency Manual presents energy conservation measures for pumping chilled water and brine in central air conditioning and refrigeration systems. In central air conditioning plants that use hydronic or chilled water distribution, consumption of energy by system pumps may account for 10 to 20 percent of total cooling energy usage.
The biggest energy users are chilled water and brine pumps. Chiller plants that use cooling towers also have large condenser cooling pumps. The methods of reducing pump energy consumption are explained here, from simple motor efficiency improvements to the most sophisticated chilled water system designs.