A Water-Cooled Condenser is a heat exchanger that removes heat from refrigerant vapour and transfers it to the water running through it. Having the refrigerant vapour condensed on the outside of a tube achieves this.

Water-cooled condensers are typically used in chiller systems where high cooling capacity is required and where space is limited, or outdoor installation is not feasible. However, their higher upfront cost and maintenance requirements may make them less cost-effective for smaller or less demanding applications.

The function of the condenser in a refrigeration system is to transfer heat from the refrigerant to another medium, such as air and/or water. By rejecting heat, the gaseous refrigerant condenses to liquid inside the condenser.