Georgetown University

Cooling Tower and Chiller Replacements

Infrastructure Upgrades Supporting Campus Growth and Energy Efficiency

Mueller Associates is providing two significant upgrades to Georgetown University’s central utility plant, strengthening campus-wide cooling capacity while advancing long-term sustainability and energy efficiency goals. These improvements are part of Georgetown’s ongoing investment in resilient utility infrastructure to support current needs and future academic, research, and clinical development.

Cooling Tower Replacements

The first phase of work involves replacing several aging cooling towers and associated condenser water pumps that serve the electric-driven centrifugal chillers within the central utility plant. Together, the cooling towers provide a nominal heat-rejection capacity of approximately 13,000 tons. The scope includes:

  • Replacement of three 3-cell, 3,000-ton cooling towers

  • Replacement of two 2-cell, 2,000-ton cooling towers

  • Upgrades to condenser water pumps and related support equipment

These improvements will increase operational efficiency, enhance reliability, and ensure adequate cooling capacity for campus buildings served by the central plant.

Chiller Replacements

The second component of the project involves replacing an existing 2,000-ton electric-driven centrifugal chiller with a new 3,500-ton centrifugal chiller. The new chiller will be supported by several cooling towers that are currently being replaced or upgraded as part of related design efforts by Mueller.

This expanded capacity will improve system redundancy, increase cooling output, and better position the campus to meet long-term demand.

Continuing a Legacy of Campus Utility Engineering

Notably, the cooling towers and chillers being replaced were originally designed by Mueller and installed in 1995. These upgrades build on that foundation, extending the lifecycle of Georgetown’s chilled-water system and ensuring campus infrastructure remains robust, efficient, and adaptable to future development.

Consulting Services
  • HVAC Systems
  • Electrical Power
  • Central Plants
Architect

Hord Coplan Macht

Client History
  1. 2024

    Campus Steam-to-Hot Water Conversion Master Plan Peer Review

  2. 2024

    Healy Hall, MEP & Infrastructure Study

...

Related Projects

Infrastructure Improvements
Georgetown University

Decades of campus infrastructure upgrades at Georgetown University, including central plant expansions, chiller and steam improvements, electrical upgrades, and long-term utility planning.

Medical/Surgical Pavilion
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

Expansion of Georgetown’s central utility plant to support MedStar’s new medical/surgical pavilion, including major chiller, steam, electrical, and distribution system upgrades.

Booth Family Center for Special Collections Lauinger Library
Georgetown University

Renovation of Georgetown’s Booth Family Center for Special Collections with precise archival HVAC, humidity control, and fire protection systems to safeguard rare books and manuscripts.

Connect With Us

shape

Gain Momentum

Our industry newsletter, Momentum, highlights projects, clients, and MEP and fire protection engineering trends

shape

Contact Us

Mueller wants to hear from you!

410-646-4500 Email Us