Display omitted •The effect of using nano-silver on a commercial plate heat exchanger was studied.•An experimental rig was designed to investigate the thermo-hydrodynamic features of nanofluid.•The overall heat transfer coefficient becomes larger 16.79% for 100ppm nanofluid.•No significant growth in pressure drop values was observed.•The process temperatures have important role in nanofluid influence. The purpose of this study is to verify the potential using of nano-silver dispersed water based nanofluid on efficiency improvement of a commercial corrugated plate heat exchanger. In this regards, an experimental rig was provided to recognize the heat transfer rate and pressure drop of Ag–water nanofluid as the working fluid. The two most key thermo-physical properties, i.e. dynamic viscosity and thermal conductivity of nanofluids were experimentally gauged. The findings, which were achieved, displayed that the overall heat transfer coefficient becomes larger, from 6.18% to 16.79%, for 100ppm silver nanofluid. While using nanofluid, no significant growth in pressure drop values was observed. Moreover, the process temperatures and flow rates have significant impacts on the helpfulness of applying nanofluid in a plate heat exchanger.