Project
- HVAC and Chiller Replacement
Key Challenges
- Replacing an end-of-life chiller within an extremely compressed programme immediately before the Christmas period.
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Maintaining comfortable conditions within a busy shopping centre during challenging South East Queensland weather.
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Identifying and delivering a suitable replacement solution within the required timeframe and budget.
Outcomes
End-of-life chiller replaced within a highly compressed programme
Project delivered within the required timeframe and budget
Modular solution providing flexibility for future cooling capacity expansion
The Client
Haben is a significant owner and operator of shopping centres across Australia. The client engages AE Smith as a direct principal/managing contractor for HVAC upgrade works across its properties.
AE Smith has worked with Haben over several years on HVAC upgrade projects, establishing a strong working relationship that has enabled the team to respond quickly to critical HVAC requirements.
For the Caloundra Shopping Centre project, maintaining comfortable conditions for shoppers and occupants was particularly important, with the works scheduled during the busy Christmas period and challenging weather conditions in South East Queensland.
What we achieved with our Customer
The project involved replacing an end-of-life chiller at Caloundra Shopping Centre during a particularly challenging period of the year. With works scheduled for mid-December and temperatures increasing across South East Queensland, a rapid turnaround was required to restore and maintain comfortable conditions throughout the shopping centre.
To meet the compressed programme, the AE Smith team adapted the original chiller design approach and developed a modular-style chiller solution. A suitable chiller was identified that was already in stock with one of AE Smith’s suppliers, enabling the equipment to be transported to site within approximately one week. This procurement approach significantly supported the accelerated project delivery.
The project incorporated the replacement of the existing chiller, chilled-water pipework rerouting, modifications to switchboard circuits and breakers, new and revised field cabling, and switchboard and controls modifications associated with the new system. Through the established relationship with Haben, AE Smith was able to coordinate the works efficiently and respond to the operational requirements of the shopping centre.
Providing a solution for future expansion, additional chiller capacity can be added to the system. The project was completed within the required timeline and budget, while the improved cooling performance resulted in improved comfort conditions throughout the shopping centre.
