What is chilled water primarily used for in HVAC systems?

Chilled water is primarily used for cooling in HVAC systems. The cooling process involves circulating chilled water through a network of coils or heat exchangers to absorb heat from the indoor air. This process lowers the air temperature, providing comfort in residential, commercial, and industrial spaces.

In HVAC systems, chiller units produce chilled water, which is then distributed to the areas that require cooling. As warm air flows over the chilled coils, heat is transferred from the air to the water, resulting in cooler air being circulated back into the space. This is a fundamental aspect of air conditioning systems, making chilled water indispensable for effective temperature regulation.

While chilled water systems can influence humidity control indirectly by cooling the air, their primary function is to provide a cooling effect. Other options like heating, humidity control, and air purification have distinct processes and technologies associated with them, separate from the role chilled water plays in cooling.