A competition to find the oldest working YORK chiller in the UK and Ireland has been won by a Borg Warner YORK machine that has been operating round-the-clock for more than 32 years.

Installed in 1984, the year Bruce Springsteen recorded Born in the USA and the historic UK miners’ strike, the chiller provides process cooling for a Dundee-based semi-conductor manufacturer, as well as supplying chilled water for use in the site’s air handling units.

Jamie Marshall, of refrigeration contractor MARS Dundee, says: “We have serviced and maintained the chiller for a number of years, carrying out a full annual service and inspection, including oil and filter change and compressor inspection. The chiller is an essential part of the end user’s business and continues to operate 24-7, around the clock. Despite its age, it is rock solid.”

He adds: “The only issue since we took over responsibility was a compressor breakdown, and we replaced it with a like-for-like unit. The other compressor is the original, and it continues to perform perfectly. It shows the quality of the manufacture, plus the value of regular servicing and maintenance.

“We have always used original OEM spares from the compressor inspection kits, and official lubricant and associated controls. Given the research and development that Johnson Controls invests in, I believe this plays a major part in maintaining chiller performance and extending working life.”

YORK chillers have a unique serial number on the data plate, which enables the year of manufacture to be identified. It shows the winning chiller originally operated on R22, but has since been converted to R422D in advance of the phase-out.

Alpesh Trivedi, product manager at Johnson Controls’ HVAC Spare Parts Division, says: “There are believed to be around 10,000 YORK brand chillers in service across the UK and Ireland, with an expected average working life of between 15 to 20 years. However, due to excellent design and engineering many continue operating for much longer, particularly when supported with with genuine YORK spare parts.

“Congratulations to Jamie on winning the title for longest serving YORK chiller. It says a lot about the chillers, and also about the quality of care and attention the company has shown in looking after the machine over the years.”

The winner was announced on the company’s stand at the recent ACR Show at the NEC. Jamie Marshall wins a day out at the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch.