2 Jun 2023

Johnson Controls., the global pioneer for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings announced the launch of the YORK® YVAM air-cooled magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller operating with the ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant, R-1234ze, for hyperscale and colocation data center cooling.

YORK® YVAM chiller

The YORK® YVAM chiller is one of the most efficient options for data center applications because its magnetic-bearing technology allows the system to operate very efficiently at low lift conditions.

This means the chiller doesn’t need free cooling coils to deliver performance comparable to air-cooled chillers with integral water-side economizers. Compared to traditional air-cooled screw chillers, the YVAM can improve efficiency by 49% in non-standard part load value (NPLV) in typical data center conditions.

mission-critical applications

YORK® YVAM chiller for applications, featuring industry-leading efficiency, simplified design, and low harmonics"

The pioneering design of the YORK® YVAM chiller was specified for the unique needs of mission-critical applications, featuring industry-leading efficiency, simplified design, and low harmonics,” said Chris Paraskevakos, vice president of product management, chillers, and applied equipment, Johnson Controls.

Johnson Controls and the YORK® brand have a long history of serving the mission-critical industry since 1998, and as such, owners and operators can have confidence in our equipment improving their operations, reducing the total cost of ownership and accelerating payback.

lubrication-free design

The YORK® YVAM chiller uses a variable-speed drive with an active front-end to lower energy consumption and total harmonic distortion. This means the magnetic driveline is significantly quieter than traditional air-cooled chiller drivelines that use screw compressors. Full-load sound is only 65 dBA at a distance of 10 meters.

The machine’s lubrication-free design also eliminates the complexity of subsystems and reduces the costs of routine maintenance and system checks.

Quick Start technology

Data centers and other mission-critical facilities require non-stop cooling. A power failure could jeopardize operations and lead to costly downtime and performance penalties.

To maximize uptime, the YORK® YVAM features Quick Start technology with integral uninterruptible power supply (UPS) backup, allowing the chiller to return to full load in as little as three minutes after power is restored.