The Ultimate Guide to Water Chiller Costs for Custom Built Cold Plunges

Introduction
Choosing the right water chiller is key to building an effective cold plunge system. In this post, we’ll help you navigate the range of options available—from budget-friendly solutions to premium models—by examining the specific models from Active Aqua, Rocita, and Penguin Chillers. We’ll highlight each product’s model name, horsepower, cost, temperature range, and electrical usage (in BTU/hr). 

Active Aqua Chillers

Active Aqua is a popular brand in the custom build cold plunge and diy cold plunge community. I have an Active Aqua 1/2 HP in my cold plunge. I recommend that Active Aqua because I use it, it's cost effective, and offers similar performance to the other brands on this list. 

1. Active Aqua AACH25HP (1/4 HP)

• Price: Approximately $619 USD

• Horsepower: 1/4 HP

• Temperature Capabilities: Typically cools water down to around 42°F (5.5°C)

• Electrical Usage: Approximately 5,000 BTU/hr

• My Opinion: This is built for a tank (tub in our case) that holds 92 gallons. Most cold plunges you see online take between 110 gallons to about 200 Gallons. Plunge makes a big one, they don't specify what the water capacity is on their site, but if my math is correct, based on the dimensions their site lists it holds about 260 gallons (this could be based on the exterior dimensions, not the inside of the tub). There are very small tubs out there, I know that Ice Barrel has a model that only take 77 gallons of water, and according to their site, their biggest model, The Barrel 500 holds 94 gallons. So this one could be used if you wanted to hook it up to an Ice Barrel, that's a decent set up. 

2. Active Aqua AACH50HP (1/2 HP)

• Price: Approximately $939 USD

• Horsepower: 1/2 HP

• Temperature Capabilities: Can achieve temperatures as low as about 39°F (4°C)

• Electrical Usage: Approximately 9,000 BTU/hr

• Overview: As I mentioned before, this is the one I use, I have no issues whatsoever. It's a step up in cooling capacity, the 1/2 HP unit is well-suited for mid-sized installations. It provides consistent performance and is a favorite among DIY enthusiasts looking for an optimal balance between price and performance.

3. Active Aqua AACH100HP (1 HP)

• Price: Approximately $1,599 USD

• Horsepower: 1 HP

• Temperature Capabilities: Also maintains water around 39°F (4°C)

• Electrical Usage: Approximately 15,000 BTU/hr

• Overview: Quality brand, this is a beast. The advantage to having a chiller this strong is that it would be able to handle more water, cycling it faster, and therefore chilling your water faster. Obvious disadvantage is price, and energy efficiency. But, food for thought: if we put this on a smart outlet you can control when it goes on and off, potentially saving energy. Oftentimes people will run their plunge at night, so it's ready to go for them in the morning when they jump in, or if your schedule is all over the place like mine, you can throw it on for a little while before you jump in. A lot of people just keep it running around the clock too, that's an option. 

Rocita Chillers

• Overview: I don't own one of these so I cant speak to more than what my research tells me. There are mixed reviews, they also sell a 1/3 HP unit that has had some really bad reviews so I didn't want to add that. 

1. Rocita 1/2 HP Chiller

• Price: Approximately $1,500 USD (prices may vary by supplier)

• Horsepower: 1/2 HP

• Temperature Capabilities: Capable of cooling down to around 35°F (1.7°C)

• Electrical Usage: Roughly 10,000 BTU/hr 

2. Rocita 1 HP Chiller

• Price: Approximately $2,000 USD

• Horsepower: 1 HP

• Temperature Capabilities: Can also reach temperatures as low as 35°F (1.7°C)

• Electrical Usage: Around 15,000 BTU/hr (exact numbers should be confirmed with the manufacturer)

My Opinion: I dont know enough to endorse this brand, but based on the pricing, I'd elect to go with one of the Active Aqua units before this one. If you wanted to explore this brand and after researching, you wanted this in your set up I'd be happy to put this in your cold plunge build for you.

Penguin Chillers

Penguin Chillers are a very reputable brand. They're built in the US and their site states that they offer product support through the life of the unit. They also offer "dings and scratch" units that could be a good way to get a brand new unit for cheap.  I would say these are higher end, as you can see they can get down into the low 30s. The electrical usage shows they use a little more energy even though they are marketed as high efficiency. 

1. Penguin Cold Therapy Chiller for DIY Install

• Price: Approximately $4,500 USD (please refer to Penguin Chillers for the latest pricing)

• Horsepower: Typically configured around 1 HP (designed for DIY cold plunge systems)

• Temperature Capabilities: Can reach temperatures as low as 33–34°F (0.5–1°C)

• Electrical Usage: Around 12,000 BTU/hr (verify with the latest specifications on the product page)

• Overview: This unit is built specifically for cold therapy, offering precise temperature control and efficiency for DIY installations. Its premium build and performance cater to those seeking a high-end cold plunge experience.

2. Penguin 1-2 HP HE Water Chiller by Penguin Chillers

• Price: Approximately $5,500 USD (visit Penguin’s 1-2 HP Chiller page for details)

• Horsepower: Rated between 1 to 2 HP (depending on configuration and customer needs)

• Temperature Capabilities: Capable of achieving temperatures around 32–34°F (0–1°C)

• Electrical Usage: Estimated at about 15,000 BTU/hr (exact specifications available on the product page)

• Overview: This chiller provides an even more robust solution for customers who require high-powered cooling. It is ideal for larger installations or scenarios where rapid temperature drops are necessary.

3. Penguin 1 HP HE Water Chiller

• Price: Approximately $4,000 USD (see Penguin’s 1 HP Chiller page for up-to-date pricing)

• Horsepower: 1 HP

• Temperature Capabilities: Typically cools water to about 34°F (1°C)

• Electrical Usage: Around 12,000 BTU/hr

My Opinion: It's not my recommendation to sit in water at 32 degrees. It's possible it's completely safe, but all the literature I've read has said anything between 40 and 50 degrees is going to get you the results you need. Some people even say they plunge in water at 55, which I think is warmer than that I'd want, but to each their own. I keep mine around 41-43 degrees. That being said, I dont value the capability to bring the water down to 32-34, so these penguin chillers are more than what I find necessary.  I do however value a U.S. based company that stands by their products by offering support through the life time of their product. With that being said, if you want to spend a little extra on a more powerful unit from a company that offers peace of mind, this may be the choice. 

Conclusion

I hope this was helpful explaining some different options for water chillers for your cold plunge build. Based on my personal experience, and the research I've done, Active Aqua and Penguin Chillers get my vote of confidence. If you have questions about a different brand or you're looking for some different features feel free to contact us!