YORK launches first air-cooled variable speed drive screw chiller with R1234ze in US

Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, announced the launch of the first air-cooled variable speed drive (VSD) screw chiller in the United States to use ultra-low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant R-1234ze.

The YORK YVAA Style B Air-Cooled Screw Chiller, an evolution of the first-generation YVAA, is engineered to drive efficiency now and meet or exceed future regulatory requirements. The R-1234ze refrigerant has a zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a GWP of 7, which is well below the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SNAP requirement, making the YVAA Style B a future-forward solution for hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) phase-down requirements.

“The YORK YVAA Style B Variable Speed Drive Air-Cooled Screw Chiller is a win-win product that fulfils our commitment to the planet and to our customers,” said Andrew Graybill, director of product management for air-cooled chillers, Johnson Controls. “After extensive evaluation, the decision was made to integrate R-1234ze because of its outstanding performance and ability to surpass low-GWP phase-down requirements.”

In addition to the use of ultra-low-GWP R-1234ze, the YORK YVAA Style B features next-generation condenser coils to minimize refrigerant quantity and further reduce its carbon footprint. A newly designed compressor optimizes part-load efficiency to deliver a significant reduction in annual energy consumption. Series flow evaporators coupled with falling film technology help achieve market-leading performance.

YVAA Style B chillers are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, allowing reliable operation for a wide range of -10 F to 130 F ambient temperatures. YVAA Style B can reach capacity ranges spanning from 100 TR to 400 TR for comfort cooling applications, and 200 TR to 500 TR compatible with data center mission critical requirements. A configurable design meets stringent data center requirements of higher leaving water temperatures up to 75 F.