In most chiller applications, a water-cooled condenser uses a cooling tower to reduce the temperature of the condenser. In this case, the water loop system is separated from the chilled water that goes to the building. The water that has been cooled by the evaporated water at the cooling tower will enter the condenser at 85°F or 29°C. It picks up the heat from the condenser and leaves at 95°F or 35°C, an increase of 10°F or 6°C.

The water is then sent to the cooling tower by the use of a pump to be cooled by evaporation of the water in the cooling tower. The cooled water temperature now drops to 85°F or 29°C and enters the condenser again. This process is repeated. Water is constantly added to the cooling tower by the use of water piping to replace those that has been evaporated into the air.