Johnson Controls Maximizes Data Center Cooling Efficiency With The YORK® YVAM Magnetic Bearing Chiller

Johnson Controls, the 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.

cater to unique needs of mission-critical applications

Johnson Controls and the YORK® brand have a long history of serving the mission-critical industry"

“The pioneering design of the YORK® YVAM chiller was specified for the unique needs of mission-critical applications, featuring industry-pioneering efficiency, simplified design and low harmonics,” said Chris Paraskevakos, Vice President of Product Management - Chillers and Applied Equipment, Johnson Controls.

He adds, “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.”

Magnetic driveline

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.

YORK® YVAM features

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.