Commercial Chiller Installation in Pasadena: Air-Cooled and Water-Cooled

Why #1 AC Guys for Pasadena Commercial Chillers

As a family business now in its fourth generation, #1 AC Guys blends 80 plus years of engineering with modern HVAC best practices to deliver commercial chiller systems that run quieter, last longer, and cost less to operate. Our mission is healthy air for healthy life, and that starts with a central plant designed for stable temperatures, clean coils, correct water treatment, and precise controls that protect occupants and equipment alike.

We are factory-trained by leading global manufacturers, including Fujitsu, Mitsubishi Electric, Midea, Gree, and Haier. While brand-agnostic, this training helps us select, size, and commission equipment that fits your load, space, acoustics, and budget without compromise.

Air-Cooled vs. Water-Cooled: The Right Choice for Pasadena

Air-cooled chillers are ideal when water use is restricted, roof space is available, and fast installs are critical. They simplify maintenance by removing cooling towers and can excel in Pasadena’s mild evenings with variable-speed technology.

Water-cooled chillers shine where maximum efficiency and capacity density matter. With cooling towers, VFD pumps, and optimized controls, they typically deliver lower life-cycle costs for larger buildings. We design tower placement, basin heaters, drift mitigation, and water treatment to meet local codes and building constraints.

Not sure which is best? We model your load profiles, utility rates, and capital plan to recommend the most cost-effective path, including staged replacements and hybrid approaches.

Our Turnkey Process

1. Assessment and Strategy
• Site walk, load data review, and asset condition survey
• Energy and comfort goals, noise and footprint constraints
• Budgeting, incentives guidance, and phasing plans to minimize downtime

2. Engineering and Permits
• ACCA/ASHRAE-based calculations and equipment selection
• Title 24 compliance documentation and plan sets
• Structural rigging plans, seismic anchorage, and city permitting support

3. Installation and Integration
• Crane lifts, rigging, and safety management
• Piping, valves, strainers, VFD pumps, and hydronic balancing
• Controls and BMS integration, BACnet and open-protocol friendly
• Electrical, starters, and commissioning-ready wiring

4. Commissioning and Handover
• Factory-recommended startup and performance verification
• Setpoint tuning for comfort, efficiency, and equipment protection
• Operator training, O and M manuals, and trend logs for validation

Retrofits, Replacements, and Central Plant Upgrades

Whether you are replacing an aging chiller or reimagining an entire central plant, we deliver phased solutions that keep your building operational. Common scopes include converting to variable primary flow, adding free-cooling coils or waterside economizer options where feasible, modernizing towers and water treatment, and upgrading controls for demand response and tighter temperature stability.

Controls, Monitoring, and Analytics

Modern chillers deserve modern controls. We integrate with most BAS platforms, deploy adaptive setpoints, and implement alarming and trending to catch issues early. Remote monitoring packages are available for performance assurance and faster service response.

Maintenance Plans That Protect Your Investment

Proactive service extends equipment life and preserves efficiency. Our plans include seasonal startup and shutdown, oil and refrigerant analysis, tube cleaning, coil washing, vibration checks, water treatment coordination, and sensor calibration. Priority dispatch minimizes downtime during peak season.

Compliance, Safety, and Documentation

We deliver code-compliant solutions aligned with California Title 24 and local Pasadena requirements. Projects include complete submittals, as-builts, and commissioning reports. Safety is embedded in every step, from lockout-tagout to confined-space and crane operations.

Industries We Serve

• Office and mixed-use
• Healthcare clinics and labs
• Education and research facilities
• Hospitality and retail
• Light industrial and data rooms with process loads

Local Expertise, Regional Reach

We proudly serve Pasadena and surrounding areas across Los Angeles County, with extended coverage into Orange County, Ventura County, and Western Riverside County. From Old Pasadena to the Playhouse District and East Pasadena business parks, our team understands local permitting, logistics, and neighborhood considerations like noise and access.

Your Next Step

Get a right-sized, future-ready chiller solution that balances first cost with life-cycle savings and occupant comfort. Contact #1 AC Guys for a free on-site assessment and a clear, turnkey proposal. Our family has engineered healthy air for generations; let us do the same for your building in Pasadena.