Published 14 October 2026 · Source-linked research prepared with AI assistance. Proposed services require an agreed scope and qualified delivery team.
Makeup is not all evaporation
In a practical tower balance, makeup replaces evaporation, blowdown, drift and other losses. A simplified screening model can omit drift and leaks only when that assumption is explicit. If the meter totals do not reconcile, investigate the discrepancy before interpreting an apparent efficiency improvement.
What cycles of concentration describes
Cycles compare dissolved-solids concentration in recirculating water with makeup water, using an appropriate measured proxy and specialist interpretation. At steady state, with negligible drift and leaks, makeup equals evaporation multiplied by cycles divided by cycles minus one. Blowdown equals evaporation divided by cycles minus one.
Why higher cycles is not an instruction
Increasing cycles can reduce blowdown at the same evaporation demand, but water quality, scale, corrosion, biological control, treatment capability and manufacturer limits constrain the acceptable range. A calculator cannot select a safe setpoint. Use the site’s water-treatment specialist to define any permitted target and verify the change.
Turn the estimate into a measurement plan
Measure a representative baseline, account for changing heat load and weather, and retain treatment and maintenance records. Separate gross water savings from net financial savings after energy, chemicals, testing, maintenance and equipment costs. Use the accompanying calculator to understand sensitivity, then replace its illustrative assumptions with reviewed site data.
Try the water-balance screen
Change the assumptions and export the result.
Open the calculatorSources & further reading
- Best Management Practice #10: Cooling Tower Management ↗Current guidance checked 2026-10-14. The cycles example assumes suitable water chemistry and operation. Never recommend a higher setpoint solely from a calculator; water-treatment specialists must establish safe operating conditions.
- AWT: GSA Evaluations ↗Page updated 2026-09-14; underlying evaluations historical. The web page also contains old forward-looking evaluation dates. Prefer the dated underlying report when describing results. Does not predict another site's savings.