In this paper, a comprehensive thermodynamic analysis of the triple-effect absorption-refrigeration system using ammonia-water solution is carried out in order to investigate the effect of different operating conditions on the coefficient of performance (COPs) and rate of heat input to the system. It is found that both energetic and exergetic COPs vary from 0.31 to 1.867 and 0.165 to 0.964, respectively, as the inlet temperature to the high-temperature generator (HTG), cooling load, and concentration of the strong solution are increased, while the rate of heat input varies from 65.5 to 71.5%. Moreover, increase in the mixture exit temperature from the HTG, concentration of the weak solution, and mass flow rate result in the variation of energetic and exergetic COPs from 2.49 to 0.68 and 1.0 to 0.23, respectively, which results in the change of rate of heat input from 7.1 to 28.5 kW. When the outdoor temperature is increased, the exergetic COP varies from 0.43 to 1.23. Copyright (c) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.