Chiller Maintenance

A guide to looking after the chilling unit that keeps your water cold and clean.

Who is this guide for?

Everyone who owns an icebaths.com product, whether at home or in a commercial setting. The chiller is the engine of your ice bath system. A small amount of periodic care keeps it running efficiently and extends its lifespan. None of these tasks are difficult, and most take under 10 minutes.

This guide covers only the chiller unit itself. For water care (filter cleaning, water changes, chemicals), see our water maintenance guides. For teak care, see the wood maintenance guide.

Understanding the Chiller

What the chiller does and what is inside it. This section explains the main components so you know what you are maintaining.

The chiller is the box that sits beside your ice bath (or in an adjacent room, under steps, or behind a partition). It is connected to the bath by two stainless steel hoses. Its job is to circulate the water, cool it down, and keep it clean.

Inside the chiller there are several components that work together:

The pump. This is what moves the water. It pulls water from the bath, pushes it through the cooling and filtration systems, and sends it back. It runs continuously while the chiller is on. Our chiller uses a custom industrial Wasser pump with both suction and pressure functions, designed to run 24/7. It circulates the entire volume of water in the bath every 6 to 8 minutes.

The compressor and condenser. This is what cools the water. The compressor compresses refrigerant gas (R32, eco-friendly), and the condenser releases the heat. This is why the chiller expels warm air from one side. It works on the same principle as an air conditioning unit or a refrigerator.

The evaporator. This is the cooling coil where the cold refrigerant absorbs heat from the water. As water passes over the evaporator, it loses heat and returns to the bath colder.

The UV-C disinfection light. This is a small ultraviolet bulb inside the chiller that destroys bacteria and viruses as water flows past it. It works silently and automatically. It is covered in detail in the UV bulb section below.

The particle filter. This catches debris before it reaches the pump and other components. Filter maintenance is covered in the water maintenance guides, not here.

The electronics box. This contains the control panel, smart switch (for the Tuya app), thermostat, and safety circuit breaker. It is IP67 waterproof rated, meaning it is protected against immersion in water.

Leave the chiller running. The chiller operates on a thermostat. It turns off automatically when the water reaches your target temperature and turns back on when the water warms up. We do not recommend switching it off. It does not save electricity, and the system is designed for continuous operation.

Condenser Cleaning

The condenser is the component that releases heat from the cooling process. Over time, dust and debris accumulate on the condenser fins and restrict airflow, which makes the chiller work harder and cool less efficiently. Cleaning the condenser is the most important thing you can do to keep the chiller performing well.

How often. Every 6 months for residential use. Every 3 months for commercial use.

What you will need. A soft brush or compressed air. Optionally a garden hose with a gentle spray setting.

Step by step.

1. Switch off or unplug the chiller.

2. Check that both air vents on the chiller have at least 20cm of clearance. Remove anything that has been placed against the chiller, leaned on it, or stored next to it. This is a good habit to check every time.

3. Remove the teak chiller cover. Place it somewhere safe to avoid scratching it.

4. Open the top or side panel to access the internal components. Check for any visible dust buildup inside.

5. Locate the condenser. It looks like a radiator or a grid of thin metal fins, usually at the back or side of the unit near the fan.

6. Using a soft brush or compressed air, gently remove dust and debris from the condenser fins. Work carefully. Do not bend the fins. They are thin and bending them restricts airflow.

7. If using a hose, use a gentle spray setting. Do not use a pressure washer.

8. While the cover is off, inspect the hose connections and internal piping for any signs of water leakage. If you see drips or moisture around connections, tighten by hand or contact the team.

9. Ensure all electrical and hose connections are tight and in good condition.

10. Make sure the inside of the chiller is completely dry before reattaching the cover.

11. Reattach the teak chiller cover. Ensure it is closed tightly with no gaps.

12. Turn the chiller back on and verify water is circulating properly.

Visit icebaths.comm/resources for step-by-step videos of this process.

Evaporator Rinse

The evaporator is the cooling coil inside the chiller where the water is actually chilled. Over time, a thin layer of dust or mineral residue can build up on the evaporator surface, reducing its cooling efficiency. A quick rinse clears this and keeps the system performing at its best.

How often. Every 6 months for both residential and commercial use.

Step by step.

1. Switch off or unplug the chiller.

2. Remove the teak chiller cover.

3. Locate the evaporator. It is a coil or cylinder, usually positioned near the top of the chiller internals.

4. Using clean water (a gentle hose spray or pouring from a container), rinse the evaporator surface to wash away any dust or buildup.

5. Allow the evaporator and the inside of the chiller to dry before reassembling.

6. Reattach the cover. Turn the chiller back on and verify water is circulating properly.

This can be done at the same time as the condenser cleaning since the cover is already off.

Hose and Connection Inspection

The stainless steel hoses connect the chiller to the ice bath. Over time, connections can loosen slightly, especially if the unit has been moved or if there is vibration during operation. A quick visual check prevents small drips from becoming bigger problems.

How often. Every 6 months for both residential and commercial use. Also check after any time the unit is moved or transported.

What to check.

1. Look at both hose connection points on the chiller and both connection points on the ice bath. Are the stainless steel couplers fully seated and secure?

2. Look for any signs of moisture, drips, or water marks around the connections.

3. If a connection feels loose, tighten by hand. Pull back the coupler to unlock, push the hose fully in, then release the coupler so it locks.

4. Check that the hoses are not kinked, bent sharply, or pinched. Kinks restrict water flow and put strain on the pump.

5. If you find a leak that does not stop after tightening, contact the team.

Voltage Stabiliser Check

If your installation requires a voltage stabiliser (see our installation requirements guide for which countries this applies to), it should be checked periodically to confirm it is functioning correctly. The stabiliser protects the chiller’s compressor and electronics from power fluctuations.

How often. Every 6 months.

What to check.

1. Confirm the voltage stabiliser is powered on and the indicator light is active.

2. Check that the stabiliser is rated at minimum 2,000VA (this should be printed on the unit).

3. Ensure all cable connections between the stabiliser, the power outlet, and the chiller are secure and in good condition.

4. If the indicator light is off or the stabiliser appears to have failed, do not operate the chiller until it is replaced. Running the chiller without a functioning stabiliser where one is required voids the warranty.

UV Bulb Replacement

The UV-C disinfection bulb inside the chiller destroys bacteria and viruses as water flows past it. Over time, the bulb’s germicidal effectiveness reduces even though it may still appear to be glowing. Replacing it at the recommended interval ensures the water sanitation system continues to work properly.

How often. After 14,000 operating hours, whichever comes first. If the chiller runs 24 hours a day, this works out to roughly 19 months. For most users running the chiller continuously, annual replacement is a good guideline.

Important. Even if the UV bulb still appears to glow, its ability to kill bacteria and viruses drops significantly after 14,000 hours. Replacement is based on usage time, not on whether the light is still on. Do not look directly at the UV light. Do not touch the glass bulb with bare hands (use gloves or a cloth).

How to check if the UV bulb is working

1. With the chiller powered on, locate the UV chamber. It is usually a long cylinder positioned beside or below the control panel, near the top of the chiller unit.

2. Look through the chamber window or slightly open the cap to see if the bulb is glowing.

3. If there is no glow, or if the bulb looks discoloured, it needs replacing.

4. Close the cap tightly after checking.

How to replace the UV bulb

1. Switch off or unplug the chiller.

2. Locate the UV bulb chamber (long cylinder near the control panel).

3. Twist off the chamber cap.

4. Gently pull out the old bulb. Do not touch the glass with bare hands. Use gloves or a cloth.

5. Slide the new UV bulb into the chamber and plug it in.

6. Twist the chamber cap back into place until it locks securely.

7. Plug in the chiller and turn it on. Confirm the UV light is functioning by checking for a glow through the chamber window.

Replacement UV bulbs are available from our team. Contact us to order.

Visit icebaths.com/resources for step-by-step videos of this process.

Wait Times After Moving or Power Loss

If the chiller has been transported, moved, repaired, or experienced a power outage, the compressor needs time to settle before being turned on. Running it too soon can cause damage. These are the recommended wait times.

Situation	Wait Before Powering On	Why
After delivery or installation	4 to 24 hours	Allows the refrigerant to settle into the correct position after transport.
After maintenance or repair	30 minutes	Allows pressure and fluids to stabilise.
After a power outage or reset	5 to 10 minutes	Protects the compressor from restarting under load.
Unit has been stored upright and not moved	No wait needed	Safe to power on immediately.