The purpose of this paper is the evaluation of absorption chillers (ACh) acting as additional heat consumers in district heating (DH) networks. The focus is on the ACh-effects on an upstream DH system: network (heat losses, electricity demand of pumps) and heat generator (heat generation, electricity generation, fuel demand). Simulations for real DH systems with different network topologies are performed to determine additional efforts in the network caused by the ACh. Furthermore, effects on heat generation are shown. As real CHP-data of the partners is sensitive, a construed example is used. Characteristic seasonal key figures for the impact of an additional heat consumer are calculated via operational optimization. Afterwards, effects on network and heat generation are combined to overall primary energy effects of ACh. Finally, primary energy efficiency of cold production by district heat driven ACh is evaluated and compared to cold production by compression chillers.